A  Tale  of  the  Pirate  Slave-Ship 

Gentle  Rand 

on  Her  Last  African  Cruise 


Works  of 
T.  JENKINS  MAINS 

JP 

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L.  C  PAGE  &  COMPANY 

New  England  Building 
BOSTON       -        -        -       MASS. 


SPRANG  WITH  THE  EASE  OF  A  CAT  UPON  OUR  POOP- 
RAIL." 


•Cbe 

Black  Barque 

A  Tale  of  the  Pirate  Slave-Ship 

Gentle  Rand 

on  Her  Last  African  Cruise 


By 
T.  JENKINS   HAINS 

AUTHOR   OF 
"THE    STRIFE   OF  THE   SEA,"   "THE   WIND-JAMMERS,"   ETC. 

Illustrated  to 
W.    HERBERT   DUNTON 


BOSTON 
L.   C.   PAGE    &    COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


Copyright, 
BY  L.  C.  PAGE  &  COMPANY 

(INCORPORATED) 
All  rights  reserved 


Published  February,  1905 
Fifth  Impression,  March,  1908. 


COLONIAL    PRESS 

Eltctrotyfied  and  Printed  by  C.  H.  Stmonds  &  Co, 
Boston,  flfttf.,  U,  S.  4  . 


7Jr 


I 


TO  THE 

MEMORY   OF    MY    GRANDFATHER 


REAR-ADMIRAL    UNITED     STATES     NAVY 
AND    HIS    COUSIN 

g>tt  Kobcct  JJenfctns,  E.  C»  38. 

VICE-ADMIRAL   ROYAL   NAVY 
WHOSE   SERVICES  TO   THE   BLACK   MAN    SHOULD   NOT 

BE    FORGOTTEN 
THIS   VOLUME   IS   INSCRIBED 


04067 


CONTENTS 


I.  I  SEEK  A  NEW  SHIP    . 

II.  CAPTAIN  HOWARD  . 

III.  THE  BARQUE 

IV.  SHANGHAIED 

V.  IN  THE  FO'C'SLE 

VI.  I  BECOME  " COCK  OF  THE  WALK" 

VII.  Two  KINDS  OF  HAND -SHAKES    . 

VIII.  OUR  BOS'N 

IX.  I  MAKE  ANOTHER  FRIEND  . 

X.  YANKEE  DAN  AND  His  DAUGHTER 

XI.  WE  MAKE  A  DAY  OF  IT      . 

XII.  How  THE  DAY  ENDED         .        . 

XIII.  A  SURPRISING  SALUTE. 

XIV.  I  DECIDE  TO  LEAVE  THE  BARQUE 
XV.  OTHERS  DECIDE  OTHERWISE 

XVI.  A  TASTE  OF  COLD  IRON 

XVII.  SIR  JOHN  AND  Miss  ALLEN. 

XVIII.  THE  BARQUE  HAS  ILL  LUCK 

XIX  AND  STILL  MORE  ILL  LUCK 

XX.  WHAT  HAPPENED  IN  MADEIRA    . 

XXI.  THE  STRANGE  BRIG      . 

XXII.  "STAND    TO    IT!" 

XXIII.  WHAT  THE  CAPTAIN'S   CHEST  HELD  . 

XXIV.  THE  CAPTAIN  SHOWS  His  METTLE 
XXV.  WE  HEAR  OF  LONG  TOM     . 

XXVI.  WE  REPEL  BOARDERS  .... 

V 


PAGB 
I 
8 

18 

30 

39 
48 

55 

65 

72 

81 

92 

100 

107 

117 

128 

135 
144 
152 
162 
171 
1 80 
1 88 
198 
207 
218 
225 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

XXVII. 

OUR  CAPTIVE     

•        233 

XXVIII. 

MY  FIRST  GLIMPSE  OF  SLAVERY 

.        241 

XXIX. 

WE  LAY  IN  OUR  CARGO  . 

.        248 

XXX. 

I  SUSPECT  TREACHERY 

.        254 

XXXI. 

I  MEET  CORTELLI     .... 

.        264 

XXXII. 

OPEN  MUTINY    

•        273 

XXXIII. 

THE  FIGHT  ON  DECK 

.        280 

XXXIV. 

THE  CARGO  BREAKS  LOOSE 

.        288 

XXXV. 

OUR  LAST  CHANCE   .... 

.        296 

XXXVI. 

THE  END  OF  THE  BLACK  BARQUE  . 

•        305 

XXXVII. 

THE  LAST  STRAND  OF  MY  YARN    . 

•        313 

THE   SHIP'S   COMPANY 

OF   THE 

Gentle  1foant> 

OFFICERS 

WILLIAM  HOWARD,  master. 
RICHARD  HAWKSON,  first  officer. 
JOHN  GULL,  second  officer. 
SHERMAN  HENRY,  third  officer. 


PETER  RICHARDS,  American,  boatswain. 

JOHN  HEYWOOD,  American,  gunner  (who  relates  the  story). 


Able  Seamen 


TIM,  American 
BILL,  Norwegian 


HELIGOLAND,  Norwegian  ANDERSON,  Swede 

GUINEA,  Dago  HOLMBERG,  Swede 

JENNINGS,  Dutch 
ERNEST,  German  P£TE>  DagQ 

MARTIN,  Scotch  ToM>  Cockney 


JOHNS,  German 
JORG,  Finn 
PAT,  Irishman 
Gus,  Swede 


Ordinary  Seamen 


JOHNSON,  Dane 
JONES,  Welshman 


JIM,  Englishman 
GILBERT,  half-breed  Kanaka 
JOHNSON,  Norwegian 
PACETTI,  Dago 


WATKINS,  steward  |  THE  "  DOCTOR,"  cook 

OWNERS   AND   PASSENGERS 

YANKEE  DAN,  of  Nassau,  trader  (Daniel  Allen). 
ROSE  ALLEN,  his  daughter. 

LORD  REN  SHAW,  an  outcast  from  society,  with  money  in  the  enter 
prise. 

SIR  JOHN  HICKS,  bankrupt,  engaged  in  the  slave  traffic. 
MR.  CURTIS,  engaged  in  the  slave  traffic. 


THE  BLACK  BABQVE 


CHAPTER   I. 

I  SEEK  A   NEW   SHIP 

WHEN  I  struck  the  beach  in  Havre,  the  war  with 
England  had  turned  adrift  upon  that  port's  dock 
heads  a  strange  assortment  of  men.  Many  had 
served  in  either  the  American  or  English  navy,  and 
many  more  had  manned  French  privateers  and  had 
fought  under  Napoleon's  eagles.  The  peace  that 
had  followed  turned  hordes  of  these  fighting  men 
into  peaceable  merchant  sailors  without  ships,  and 
they  drifted  about  without  definite  means  of  sup 
port. 

I  had  come  over  from  the  States  in  an  old  tub  of 
a  barque  called  the  Washington,  after  having  served 
as  mate  for  two  years  on  the  schooner  General 
Greene.  The  war  had  taught  me  something,  for  I 
had  served  in  the  navy  in  one  of  the  South  Pacific 
cruises,  and  had  fought  in  the  frigate  Essex.  I  was 


THE  BLACK,  BARQUE 

only  a  boy  in  years,  but  the  service  —  and  other 
matters  hardly  worth  mentioning  here  —  had  hard 
ened  my  nature  and  developed  the  disagreeable  side 
of  my  character.  I  was  mate  of  the  old  hooker, 
and  could  have  made  out  well  enough  if  the  cap 
tain  hadn't  been  somewhat  down  on  me,  for  I  never 
cared  especially  for  women,  and  I  believed  my  ex 
perience  justified  my  opinion  of  them,  —  but  no 
matter. 

The  old  man  seemed  to  think  I  couldn't  be  happy 
without  thrashing  every  day  one  or  more  of  the 
miserable  dagoes  he  had  had  the  assurance  to  tell 
me  were  sailors,  and,  after  a  nasty  voyage  of  fifty 
days,  I  was  not  sorry  to  step  ashore.  I  joined  the 
saturnine  pier-enders  with  my  pay  and  discharge 
as  being  a  remarkably  hard  and  quarrelsome  mate 
with  but  small  experience. 

We  tied  up  to  one  of  the  long  docks,  and  I  had 
seen  that  all  the  canvas  was  properly  unbent  and 
stowed  below  before  being  notified  of  my  failings. 

The  dock-jumpers  had  made  their  leap,  and  we 
were  short-handed  enough,  so  I  may  have  been  a 
bit  out  of  sorts  with  the  extra  work  and  the  prospect 
of  breaking  out  the  cargo  with  only  four  Portuguese 
and  a  third  mate,  who  was  the  captain's  son. 

It  wasn't  the  work  I  dodged,  however,  nor  was 
it  that  which  caused  the  outfly.  It  was  started  by 
this  third  mate  coming  aboard  with  a  very  pretty 


€&5>THE  BLAC1L  BARQUE 

girl  whom  he  had  met  in  town.  To  see  him  walk 
ing  about  the  main  deck  with  her,  when  he  should 
have  been  hard  at  work,  aggravated  me.  They  said 
he  was  to  marry  her,  and  the  dagoes  kept  looking* 
after  him  instead  of  doing  what  I  told  them,  and 
then  —  well,  after  it  was  over  I  didn't  care  very 
much. 

The  only  man  aboard  who  seemed  interested  to 
any  extent  was  old  Richards,  the  second  mate. 
Richards  had  served  on  the  frigate  Essex  in  her 
famous  cruise,  and  after  the  war  he  had  chosen 
to  try  his  hand  in  merchant  ships,  for  the  change 
of  the  man-o' -war's  man's  life  from  action  to  sloth 
ful  peace  had  been  too  much  for  him.  Silent  and 
thoughtful,  he  had  listened  to  me  and  was  pained 
at  my  speech.  He  was  called  old  Richards  because 
of  his  quiet  manner,  although  he  was  not  much 
over  thirty-five,  and  I  bore  with  his  sour  looks 
while  I  went  to  the  quarter-deck  to  finish  my  little 
say  with  the  skipper. 

As  an  American  man-o'-war's  man,  it  was  my 
duty  to  invite  the  captain  ashore  to  prove  to  him 
by  the  force  of  my  hands  that  I  was  the  best  natured 
young  fellow  afloat.  As  I  was  a  powerful  lad, 
and  had  served  two  years  under  him,  he  had  the 
good  judgment  to  explain  to  me  that  my  argument 
would  prove  most  illogical,  and  that  if  I  dared  to 
lift  a  hand  against  him,  he  would  blow  a  hole 

3 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


I 


through  me  as  big*  as  a  hawse-pipe.  To  lend  em 
phasis  to  his  statement,  he  produced  a  huge  horse- 
pistol,  and,  sticking  it  under  my  nose  so  that  I 
might  look  carefully  down  the  bore  and  see  what 
he  had  loaded  it  with,  he  bade  me  get  hence. 

I  was  not  very  much  afraid  of  the  weapon,  so 
I  gazed  carefully  into  it,  while  I  pronounced  some 
flattering  comments  about  his  birth  and  the  nation 
ality  of  his  mother.  Then,  lest  I  might  really  appear 
quarrelsome  to  the  few  knaves  who  were  enjoying1 
the  spectacle,  I  spat  into  the  muzzle  as  though  it 
were  the  receptacle  for  that  purpose,  and,  turning 
my  back  upon  him,  sauntered  ashore,  followed  by 
my  second  mate,  whom  I  thought  came  to  expostu 
late  with  me  and  bring  me  to  a  better  humour,  and 
return. 

I  was  in  a  somewhat  grim  humour,  but  not  by 
any  means  quarrelsome.  I  had  lost  my  ship,  but 
I  had  a  bit  of  American  gold,  and  as  long  as  a  sailor 
has  this  commodity  he  is  cheerful  enough.  I  had 
no  sooner  landed  on  the  pier  than  I  was  accosted 
by  a  little  ferret-faced  fellow,  who  seemed  busy 
nosing  around  the  dock  after  the  manner  of  a  nerv 
ous  little  dog  that  noses  everything  rapidly  and 
seriously,  as  though  its  life  depends  upon  its  finding 
something  it  is  not  looking  for. 

"  Bon  jaw,"  he  said. 

I  turned  upon  him  and  looked  into  his  ugly  face, 

4 


"  I'm  a  Yankee  sailor,"  said  I,  "  and  if  you  want 
any  business  with  me  you'll  have  to  speak  some 
thing  I  understand.  And  besides,"  I  added,  edg 
ing  closer  to  him,  "  I  don't  allow  fellows  to  talk 
about  me  in  a  foreign  language,  —  unless  I've  got 
a  good  reason  to  think  they're  saying  something 
truthful.  You  savvey?  Or  I'll  make  a  handsome 
monkey  of  you  by  changing  that  figurehead  you've 
got  there." 

A  sudden  scowl  came  over  the  fellow's  face  and 
went  again.  "  I  kin  give  you  all  the  langwidge 
you  need,  young  man,  but  I  was  only  about  to  do 
you  a  favour." 

"  '  Virtue  is  its  own  reward/  "  I  said,  reaching 
into  my  pocket  as  though  for  a  piece  of  money. 
"Cast  loose!" 

"  It's  on  account  of  that  reward  I  reckon  you 
don't  practise  it,"  grinned  the  fellow.  "  Perhaps  a 
more  substantial  acknowledgment  might  —  " 

"  Shut  up!  "  I  snapped.  "  If  you  are  an  Ameri 
can  or  English,  let's  have  your  lay. 

"  Is  it  a  ship  you  want  me  to  take?  For,  if 
that's  your  game,  you  better  slant  away.  Don't 
you  see  I've  enough  ship  for  the  rest  of  my  life, 
hey?" 

The  creature  sidled  closer  to  me  and  attempted 
to  slip  his  arm  through  mine,  but  I  brushed  him 
away.  He  flashed  that  fox-like  scowl  at  me  again, 

5 


his  little  yellow  eyes  growing  into  two  points.  He 
gave  me  an  unpleasant  feeling,  and  I  watched  his 
hands  to  see  if  he  made  any  movement.  Then  I 
was  more  astonished,  as  I  noticed  his  fingers.  They 
were  enormous. 

"  Look  a-here  now,  don't  you  think  we  cud  do  a 
bit  a  bizness  without  all  these  here  swabs  a-looking 
on?  You  look  like  you  had  sense  enough  to  go 
below  when  it  rains  right  hard.  What  !  you  follow 
me?  Now  there's  a  ship  without  a  navigator  a-fit- 
ting  out  not  far  from  here,  and,  if  you'll  come  go 
along  with  me,  an'  talk  the  matter  over,  there'll 
be  no  harm  done  except  to  the  spirruts,  —  an'  they's 
free." 

I  was  very  thirsty  and  could  talk  no  French,  so, 
more  to  be  guided  to  a  place  to  quench  my  thirst 
on  good  ale  than  by  curiosity,  I  allowed  him  to 
lead  me  up  the  dock.  I  noticed  several  of  the  loun 
gers  upon  the  pier-head  scowl  at  me  as  I  went  my 
way,  and  one  tall,  fierce-looking  fellow,  who  had 
been  glancing  at  me  frequently,  gradually  fell  away 
from  the  group  of  loafers  and  strolled  up  behind 
us.  I  paid  no  further  attention  to  these  fellows, 
but,  as  I  reached  the  street  with  its  babble  of  un 
familiar  language,  a  sudden  feeling  came  upon 
me.  I  don't  know  what  it  was,  but  I  was  only  a 
boy,  and  the  future  seemed  dark  and  lonely.  I 
turned  and  looked  back  at  the  Washington.  She 

6 


&fcs>THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

was  the  only  thing  American  in  sight,  and  the 
months  I  spent  aboard  her  were  not  to  be  thrust 
aside  lightly.  They  had  all  been  too  full  of  work 
and  sorrow. 

"  Good-bye,  old  barkey,"  I  cried,  holding  my 
right  hand  high  up,  — "  good-bye,  and  may  the 
eternal  God  —  no,  bless  you." 

I  hastened  on  to  where  the  ferret-faced  fellow 
stood  grinning  at  me.  He  was  peculiarly  aggres 
sive,  and  his  shabby  unnautical  rig  only  added  to 
this  disagreeable  characteristic.  Richards  followed 
slowly  behind,  his  eyes  holding  a  peculiar  look  as 
he  joined  the  little  stranger.  The  man  gave  a  sneer. 

"  Very  sentimental  and  proper  feeling,"  said  he. 
"  A  ship's  like  a  person,  more  or  less,  an'  when 
one  gets  used  to  her  he  don't  like  to  give  her  up." 

"  What  do  you  know  about  sentiment,  you 
swine?"  I  asked,  fiercely.  "I've  a  good  notion 
to  whang  you  for  your  insolence." 

"  A  very  fine  spirit,"  he  commented,  as  though 
to  himself,  as  he  walked  ahead,  "  a  very  fine  spirit 
indeed,  but  guided  by  a  fool.  Here's  the  ale-house 
I  spoke  of,  and  the  sooner  we  have  a  mug  or  two, 
the  better." 


CHAPTER   II. 

CAPTAIN    HOWARD 

I  MIGHT  as  well  say  in  the  beginning  that,  while 
I  have  a  sailor's  taste  for  liquor,  I'm  not  especially 
noted  as  a  drunkard  or  spirit-wholloper.  By  the 
latter  I  mean  given  to  ruffianism  or  brawling  while 
under  its  influence.  It  is  because  of  a  naturally 
refined  and  peaceful  disposition  that  I  am  so  con 
stituted,  and  I  take  no  glory  on  that  account.  It 
is  nonsense  to  suppose  all  sailors  ruffians  and  all 
tales  of  the  sea  coarse,  because  some  swabs  have 
found  that  the  hand  of  a  knowing  mate  or  skipper 
lies  heavy  upon  an  empty  pate.  The  story  of  many 
voyages  on  American  ships  is  gentle  and  unevent 
ful  as  the  daily  run  of  a  lady's  carriage.  For  evi 
dence,  read  their  logs.  We  entered  the  den  of  our 
little  ferret-faced  companion,  and  had  no  sooner 
sat  at  a  table  to  order  the  ale  than  I  was  aware 
of  the  tall,  dour  man  who  had  followed  us  from 
the  pier-head.  My  second  mate  was  too  much  taken 
up  with  the  inmates  of  the  place  to  notice  anything 

8 


BL          B 


else.  I  might  as  well  confess  Richards  was  a  very 
pious  fellow,  and  it  must  have  been  much  against 
his  wish  to  have  been  where  he  was.  The  tall  man 
paid  little  attention  to  him,  but  looked  at  me. 

He  did  not  come  into  the  room,  but  stood  in  the 
doorway,  his  fierce  eyes  fixed  upon  my  face,  and 
his  long,  drooping  moustache  hanging  below  his 
jowls,  giving  him  a  most  sinister  appearance.  Our 
companion  appeared  not  to  perceive  his  presence 
at  first,  and  only  when  he  tilted  his  mug  and  threw 
his  head  back  did  his  weasel  eyes  seem  to  fall  in 
with  those  of  the  stranger. 

"  Come  in,  you  terrier  !  "  I  cried.  "  Come  in  and 
have  a  mug  to  soak  your  whiskers  in.  Sink  me, 
but  barbers  must  be  scarce  around  here.  Soldier 
o'  the  guard,  hey?  No  one  but  a  Voltigeer-r-r  o* 
the  guard-r-rd  would  wear  such  hangers." 

'  Young  man,"  said  the  stranger,  quietly,  "  your 
language  is  rather  unseemly,  and  should  not  be 
applied  to  one  of  the  cloth.  Hark  ye  !  I  am  a  man 
of  peace,  sir.  I  am  Richard  Raymond,  chaplain 
of  the  Guerriere  frigate.  I  never  indulge."  He 
raised  a  lean,  sinewy  hand  and  shook  his  head 
gently  at  the  proffered  ale. 

"  May  the  devil  seize  me  if  you  ain't  the  holy 
joe  I'm  looking  for!"  I  cried.  "Sit  down,  man, 
sit  down." 

"  Not  in  such  a  place.    I  but  came  to  plead  with 

9 


THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

you  not  to  fill  yourself  with  that  liquid.  It  is  ruin 
ous."  Here  he  looked  across  the  room  where  the 
proprietor  was  attending  to  a  group  of  sailors  who 
were  about  a-  table.  "  It  is  ruinous,  I  say,  and 
here  I  implore  you  not  to  drink  too  much.  As 
a  man  of  God,  I  ask  you,  and  the  chaplain  of  the 
Guerriere,"  and  he  raised  his  eyes  aloft  and  clasped 
his  hands  as  if  in  prayer.  I  now  noticed  his  clothes 
were  somewhat  clerical  in  cut,  though  shabby.  At 
this  moment,  a  buxom  maid  brought  some  fresh 
mugs,  foaming  full,  and  I  tossed  her  a  piece  of 
money.  She  looked  at  me  and  smiled,  saying  some 
thing  I  failed  to  understand.  Then  casting  a  look 
at  the  tall  man  in  the  door,  she  laughed  and  went 
her  way. 

"And  why  not  on  the  frigate  now?"  I  asked 
Mr.  Raymond,  who  still  seemed  to  be  absorbed 
in  prayer. 

"  Lost,  man,  lost !  "  said  my  little  companion, 
taking  a  fresh  mug.  "  Don't  you  know  she  was 
lost?" 

"Well,"  I  cried,  "what  difference?  Should  a 
holy  man  desert  his  ship  any  the  sooner  for  being 
holy,  hey?  Answer  me  that.  Why  didn't  you  get 
lost  in  her?  Sink  me,  but  I  like  a  man  who  will 

s 

do  something  more  than  talk  for  the  good  of  a 
soul.  I  like  a  bit  o'  sacrifice  now  and  again  to  show 
the  meaning  true.  I'd  like  to  see  our  friend  drink 

10 


1MTHE  BLACK,  BARQUE 

this  mug  of  ale  to  save  me  from  the  devil,  for,  if 
he'll  drink  it,  I  vow  I'll  not  buy  another  for  myself." 

"  Deliver  us  from  evil,"  moaned  Raymond.  "  Oh, 
Henry,  I  couldn't  do  it,"  and  his  eyes  rolled  up. 

"So  your  name  is  Henry,  is  it?"  I  asked  my 
little  companion. 

He  looked  queerly  at  me. 

"Why  didn't  you  say  so  before?"  I  asked, 
roughly. 

"  You  never  asked  me,"  said  he.  "  The  chaplain 
has  known  me  many  years." 

"  Well,"  I  cried,  rising*  and  advancing  upon  Mr. 
Raymond,  "  you'll  either  drink  this  ale  or  get  it 
in  the  face,  for  I'll  not  be  badgered  by  every  hairy 
heaven-yelper  I  run  against.  Drink ! "  and  I  held 
the  mug  toward  him. 

His  fierce  eyes  gleamed  curiously,  and  he  reached 
for  the  tankard.  Then  he  raised  it  to  his  lips,  and 
the  long  moustache  was  buried  half  a  foot  in  the 
foam.  When  he  let  it  down  it  was  empty.  The 
next  instant  something  crashed  against  my  head, 
and  I  saw  many  stars.  Then  came  a  blank.  It  must 
have  been  some  minutes  before  I  came  to,  and, 
when  I  did,  I  found  myself  lying  upon  the  floor 
with  my  Mr.  Henry  and  the  barmaid  wiping  the 
blood  from  my  face.  The  tall  man  had  disappeared, 
and  I  struggled  to  my  feet,  my  head  whirling. 
Upon  the  floor  lay  pieces  of  the  mug. 

I! 


RUE 


"Did  that  sky-pilot  do  it?"  I  asked,  feebly. 

Henry  grinned. 

"  Ah,  ah,  pauvre  garqon,  pauvre,  pauvre  —  what 
eet  is,  boy?  Pauvre  boy.  Cest  poar  boy,  poar 
boy,"  said  the  stout  girl,  wiping  my  clothes  gently 
and  laying  a  hand  on  my  shoulder. 

The  effect  of  a  little  sympathy  was  strange,  espe 
cially  from  a  woman. 

"  Never  mind,"  I  said,  taking  her  hand  from 
my  shoulder  and  holding  it  a  moment.  "  Get  some 
fresh  ale.  There  is  no  damage  done.  If  that  fellow 
was  a  man  of  peace,  I  should  not  like  to  come  across 
his  breed  as  man  of  war.  Sit  down,  you  son  of  a 
fox,"  I  continued  to  Henry,  "  and  let's  have  your 
yarn,  and  if  I  see  you  so  much  as  grin,  this  shop 
will  be  unlucky."  We  drew  up  again  to  the  table. 

"  I  should  think,"  said  Richards,  "  you  have  had 
your  say  long  enough  now,  and  would  listen  to 
reason.  Steady  yourself  and  get  back  into  some  ship 
before  you  get  in  jail.  I  don't  care  any  more  for 
the  hooker  you  just  left  than  you  do,  and  wouldn't 
go  back  in  her  if  there  was  any  other  vessel  want 
ing  hands." 

"  I  feel  flattered  at  your  attentions,  my  dear 
Peter,"  said  I.  "  It  is  good  of  you  to  follow  me 
to  take  care  of  one  so  young.  My  morals  are  pretty 
bad,  and  I  need  a  nurse." 


12 


:'  That  is  certain,"  said  the  sailor,  with  convic 
tion  that  angered  me  not  a  little. 

Richards's  manner  was  a  bit  trying  to  me  at  all 
times  when  I  wanted  to  have  a  say,  and  this  time 
I  lost  patience.  Yet,  when  I  thought  of  it  after 
ward,  I  saw  a  steady  head  would  have  kept  me  out 
of  much  trouble.  He  was  a  perfectly  balanced  man. 
He  would  neither  lose  his  head  with  joy,  nor  sink 
with  despair  at  some  seeming  desperate  trouble. 
He  had  learned  this  by  experience,  and  his  steady 
eyes  were  not  those  of  a  dullard.  He  felt  as  much 
as  any  one,  as  I  soon  learned  when  I  gave  him  the 
sharp  edge  of  my  tongue.  He  was  not  a  large  man, 
but  rather  small  and  wiry.  His  size,  I  often  thought, 
had  governed  his  actions,  for  aboard  ship  a  small 
man  cannot  talk  too  loud.  Since  he  had  served 
with  me,  I  had  reason  to  believe  his  body  had  little 
to  do  with  his  mind. 

"  Peter,"  I  said,  acidly,  "  I'm  looking  for  a  ship. 
Will  you  go  along  in  her  with  me?" 

"That  I  will,"  he  said,  but  I  thought  he  was 
simply  falling  into  my  trap  to  gain  time. 

"  Then,  my  weasel,"  said  I,  turning  to  Mr.  Henry, 
"you  have  two  bully  boys  at  your  tow-line,  for,  sink 
me,  I'll  hold  my  mate  to  his  word  if  I  ship  in  noth 
ing  better  than  a  West  Indian  sugar-boat.  Sail  in, 
my  bully.  Let's  have  the  old  tune  I've  heard  so 
often." 

13 


Henry  drew  up  his  chair  and  gloated  over  us. 
We  were  two  good  enough  men  to  tempt  any  sort  of 
crimp,  but,  on  account  of  my  size,  he  addressed 
himself  to  me  as  the  leader.  I  have  always  had  this 
happen  when  there  were  others  around,  but  I  take 
no  especial  note  of  it,  for  it  was  nothing  that  I  was 
a  well-put-up  man.  I  had  nothing  whatever  to  do 
with  my  birth. 

'*  You  see,"  said  he,  "  I  don't  make  any  bones  wot 
I'm  up  to.  I'm  after  men  sech  as  you  an'  me.  My 
father  were  a  Yankee  sailor,  though  my  mother 
were  sech  as  I  have  to  break  the  commandment  wot 
arguefies  for  a  long  life  every  time  I  think  of  her." 
'  You  can  honour  her  memory  by  keeping  her 
name  off  your  tongue,"  I  growled. 

"  Perhaps  so,"  he  assented  ;  "  maybe,  but  she  were 
hung  right  here  in  this  town,  and  her  property 
taken,  so  that's  why  I'm  lookin'  out  fer  men  wot's 
men.  I  get  ten  shillings  a  head  per  sailormen,  an' 
I  stands  in  with  the  crowd.  No  shanghai  business 
with  me.  It  don't  pay.  Why  should  a  man  ruin 
his  business  just  to  shanghai  one  or  two  men  who 
will  turn  against  him  as  soon  as  they  come  back, 
hey?  A  matter  o'  a  pound  or  two  an'  a  good  name 
fer  fair  dealin'  gone.  Oh,  no!  I  don't  run  fer  bad 
ships.  I  only  takes  the  clippers,  an'  I  give  hand 
some." 

"What's  the  hooker's  name?"  I  asked. 


B 


''  That's  just  what  I'm  coming  to  if  you'll  only 
say  the  word  to  go  in  her.  They  want  a  mate,  and 
they'll  pay  a  big  whack  for  a  good  man." 

"  Name,  you  wolf,"  I  repeated,  draining  my  mug. 
"  Give  the  name,  or  pay  for  this  ale  and  clear." 

"I'll  take  you  to  her  —  " 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  a  small 
man  who  strode  quickly  into  the  room  and  sat  at 
once  in  an  empty  chair  near  the  door.  As  the  new 
comer  entered,  Henry  half-rose  and  saluted,  receiv 
ing  a  slight  nod  of  recognition  in  return. 

"Who's  your  friend?"  I  asked,  gruffly. 

"  Sh-h  !  not  so  loud,"  and  he  scowled  at  me. 
"That's  Captain  Howard." 

"  Who  the  saints  is  Captain  Howard  ?  Can  he 
drink  ale?"  I  asked. 

"  I  wouldn't  ask  him  if  I  were  you.  He's  not 
a  man  of  peace,"  and  he  looked  at  me  slantwise. 

"  I  see,"  I  answered,  and  I  looked  the  stranger 
over  carefully.  He  was  quite  small  in  stature  and 
his  face  was  pale.  His  hands  were  soft,  white,  and 
effeminate-looking.  Upon  one  finger  a  huge  dia 
mond  sparkled.  Just  then  he  turned  his  gaze  to 
meet  mine,  and  I  must  admit  his  eyes  gave  me  quite 
a  turn.  They  were  as  glassy  and  expressionless  as 
those  of  a  fish.  His  whole  smooth  face,  in  fact, 
seemed  to  express  nothing  but  vacancy.  I  had  never 
seen  a  human  face  so  devoid  of  expression.  There 

15 


&&S»THE  BLACK.  BARQUE        . 

was  hardly  a  line  in  it  save  about  the  drooping  cor 
ners  of  his  mouth. 

"  He  don't  look  dangerous,"  I  said,  with  a  chuckle. 
"  However,  I'm  not  hunting  trouble,  and,  if  you 
think  he'll  be  offended  at  my  acquaintance,  he  can 
go  without  it." 

"  He's  related  to  the  great  English  house,  — 
them  —  them  ar'stocrats,  ye  know.  That's  the  way 
he's  got  the  king's  pardon." 

"  Pardon  for  what?  "  I  asked. 

He  glanced  sidewise  at  me  with  that  ferret  look 
upon  his  face.  "  You've  heard,  sure?  No?  Well, 
then,  that's  the  skipper  that  held  up  the  Indian 
Prince." 

Then  I  remembered  well  enough.  He  was  the 
little  fellow  with  the  pirate  crew  that  had  held  up 
the  big  East-Indianman  in  the  China  Sea  some 
years  back.  It  was  he  who  took  the  treasure  and 
squandered  it  in  mad  riot  in  the  streets  of  Singa 
pore,  and  defied  the  authorities.  Here,  indeed,  was 
the  man  feared  by  both  whites  and  savages  of  the 
Eastern  seas,  sitting  in  this  little  ale-house  as  un 
concerned  as  though  nothing  unusual  had  happened 
to  excite  curiosity.  I  was  so  taken  up  looking  at 
him  and  wondering  at  his  foul  crimes  that  he  had 
received  and  drunk  off  his  liquor  before  I  realized 
what  had  happened.  As  he  left,  I  seized  my  mug 
and  drank  it. 

16 


THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

"  Come  along,"  I  said.  "  Show  me  your  ship," 
and  Mr.  Henry  paid  the  score  and  started  for  the 
door,  while  I  followed.  As  I  reached  it,  I  turned 
to  see  what  Richards  would  do,  but  he  was  game. 

"  Here  comes  your  nourse,  sonny,"  he  said.  "  I 
was  paid  off  yesterday,  and  don't  mind  a  change 
if  it's  for  better,"  and  he  looked  so  serious  that  I 
burst  out  laughing. 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE  BARQUE 

HENRY  led  the  way  through  the  streets  until  we 
came  to  the  anchorage  basin  beyond  the  docks.  He 
was  talkative  enough,  but  my  head  ached  from  the 
blow  I  had  received  from  the  man  of  peace,  and 
I  paid  little  attention  to  the  fellow's  words. 

We  passed  a  large  American  ship  that  had  been 
captured  by  the  English  during  the  war  and  sold. 
She  loomed  up  grandly  from  the  small  craft  lying 
near,  her  long,  tapering  masts  still  showing  the  un 
mistakable  Yankee  rigging,  and  her  yards  having  yet 
a  vestige  of  the  white  American  cloth  which  has 
since  been  a  pleasant  feature  of  all  our  craft.  Her 
paint  was  worn  off,  however,  and  upon  her  decks  a 
mongrel  crew  chattered  away  like  a  pack  of  monkeys. 
I  halted  a  moment  and  looked  at  her  in  disgust. 

"What  ship  is  that?"  I  asked. 

"  The  Independence  of  Boston.  She  were  taken 
by  the  English  line  ship  St.  Marys  off  Cape  St. 
Roque.  She  were  stove  up  some.  See  that  big 
piece  spliced  into  her  stern  where  she  was  shot 

18 


away.  Her  mainyard's  fished  in  two  places.  Took 
two  whole  broadsides  to  fetch  her  to,  they  say. 
That  trim-lookin'  craft  beyond  her  is  the  one  we're 
headin'  f  er,  —  the  one  laying  head  on  with  the 
foreyards  cockbilled." 

We  went  toward  the  vessel  indicated,  and  I  soon 
saw  what  indeed  appeared  to  be  a  fine  craft.  She 
was  large,  probably  five  hundred  tons,  but  she  was 
barque  rigged,  with  her  mainmast  stepped  well  aft. 
Her  foreyards  were  lifted  to  starboard  and  her  main 
were  braced  to  all  angles,  giving  her  the  appearance 
of  having  been  suddenly  deserted  by  her  crew  after 
making  port.  Upon  the  spars  the  white  canvas 
lay  bent  and  furled,  the  clews  standing  out  a  foot 
or  two  clear  of  the  bunt,  and  the  gaskets  hove  in 
taut  as  brass  bands.  Her  black  sides  showed  a 
good  freeboard,  but  I  thought  little  of  this,  as  nearly 
all  vessels  bound  to  the  westward  were  going  pretty 
light  at  that  time.  She  was  coppered,  and  the  top 
band  was  a  good  half-fathom  clear  of  the  water. 
She  was  pierced  for  six  guns  on  a  side,  and  had 
several  more  ports  painted  along  the  bulwarks  on 
the  main-deck,  as  was  the  custom  of  the  day.  At 
a  distance  she  might  have  been  taken  for  a  vessel 
of  twenty  or  more  guns.  Her  build  was  English, 
but  her  rig  was  Scandinavian,  and  I  noticed  her 
poop  was  painted  white  everywhere  except  on  deck, 
after  the  Yankee  fashion. 

19 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


Three  heavy  boats  were  slung  amidships  on 
booms.  Forward  of  these  a  galley  was  built  or 
lashed  upon  the  deck,  and  from  its  window  appeared 
the  black  head  of  an  African.  We  went  close  to 
the  water's  edge  and  Henry  hailed. 

"  Th-war-bull-yah  !     Ahoy!"  he  bellowed. 

"What's  her  name?"  I  asked. 

"  Ha-Yah-Wah,  ahoy!"  he  bellowed  again  in 
answer,  and  the  nigger  in  the  galley  waved  a  white 
rag  in  reply. 

"  May  the  sharks  eat  me,  you  dock  wrastler,  but 
that's  a  queer  name  for  a  fine  ship!  How  do  you 
call  her?"  I  asked. 

"  He's  comin'  now,"  said  Henry,  with  a  grin. 
"  Names  is  mostly  just  sounds,  an'  furrin  sounds 
is  just  like  others,  only  different.  We'll  go  aboard 
her,  and  you  can  see  the  old  man  an'  settle  with  him. 
Don't  be  afraid  o'  high  pay.  He'll  give  it." 

In  a  few  minutes  a  boat  left  the  barque  from  the 
side  opposite  us,  where  it  had  been  out  of  sight. 
It  rounded  under  her  stern  and  came  toward  us, 
with  the  nigger  standing  aft  sculling  with  the  pecu 
liar  swing  of  the  Bahama  conch.  He  landed  almost 
at  our  feet,  and  Henry  motioned  me  to  jump  aboard. 

"  Ole  man  aboard,  hey?  "  asked  Henry,  stepping 
in  after  me. 

'  Yassir,  disha  boat  just  done  taken  him  abo'd. 
He's  done  expected  mos'  all  han's  afo'  dis." 

20 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


"  Well,  take  us  over,"  said  Henry,  and  he  set 
tled  himself  heavily  upon  a  thwart. 

In  a  short  time  we  were  alongside.  We  clambered 
up  a  long  hanging  ladder  amidships,  and  then  over 
the  rail  to  the  main-deck. 

As  we  did  so  a  venerable,  white-haired  old  fel 
low  stepped  out  of  the  cabin  door  and  greeted  us. 

Henry  took  off  his  cap  and  bowed  with  uncom 
mon  civility. 

"  Captain  Watkins,  allow  me  to  make  known 
Mr.  —  Mr.  —  " 

"  Heywood,"  I  suggested. 

"  Mr.  Heywood,"  continued  Henry.  "  He  is  the 
best  mate  in  Havre,  an'  is  just  off  the  American 
ship  Washington.  I  knowed  you  wanted  a  good 
mate,  so  I  brought  you  the  best  in  town." 

The  old  fellow  held  out  his  hand  gravely,  and 
said  how  glad  he  was  to  make  my  acquaintance. 

"  I  am  just  looking  for  a  good  navigator,  and 
if  you'll  come  at  my  terms,  I'll  reckon  we'll  deal." 

I  suggested  that  the  terms  be  made  known. 

"Well,  I  reckon  on  thirty  'pound  a  month  is  all 
I  allow  just  now.  Will  you  consider  that?" 

As  this  was  five  times  as  much  as  any  mate  I 
had  ever  heard  of  received,  I  told  him  I  would 
consider  the  matter  closed. 

"  An*  your  friend,  here.  I  take  it  he  is  an  Ameri 
can,  too;  —  an'  a  sailorman  from  clew  to  earring." 

21 


BLACK,  BARQUE 


Richards  looked  at  him  steadily. 

"  You  are  a  right  smart  of  a  guesser,  Mr.  Wat- 
kins,"  said  he.  "  I  was  second  in  the  Washington, 
but  I've  been  in  better  ships." 

The  insolence  of  old  Peter  calling  the  captain 
mister  was  almost  too  much  for  me.  Here  was  a 
chance  of  a  lifetime.  I  turned  upon  him. 

"  If  you  are  going  to  act  foolish  with  one  drink 
of  ale,  just  for  a  chance  to  back  down,  you  better 
get  ashore,"  I  snapped. 

"  I've  seen  many  men  more  sensible  drunk  than 
you  are  sober,  Heywood,"  said  he,  looking  calmly 
at  me,  "  but  I'll  not  back  down." 

"  Will  you  accept  the  same  terms  ?  "  asked  the 
old  man,  kindly. 

Richards  looked  at  him  in  scorn.  Then  he  spat 
on  the  white  deck. 

"  I'll  go/'  said  he,  and  Captain  Watkins  turned 
to  me. 

"  There  is  no  grog  served  aboard,  and  no  swear 
ing  on  this  ship,  Mr.  Heywood,"  said  he.  "  I  am 
an  old  man,  as  you  see,  and  wish  my  crew  orderly 
and  quiet.  Do  you  wish  to  stay  aboard  at  once?  " 

I  said  I  would  just  as  soon  turn  to  at  once.  The 
rate  of  pay  fairly  frightened  me,  and  I  was  afraid 
if  I  went  ashore  he  might  get  some  one  else  in  my 
place.  The  appearance  of  the  barque  was  much  in 
her  favour.  Her  decks  were  as  white  as  holystone 

22 


could  make  them,  and  her  gear  was  all  new  and 
carefully  selected.  Such  lines  seldom  found  place 
upon  any  ships  save  men-of-war,  and  her  blocks, 
with  polished  brass  pins  and  sheaves,  were  marvels 
to  me.  I  stood  idly  pulling-  a  topsail  brace  with 
one  hand  and  looking  up  at  the  fine  rigging,  while 
Henry  talked  of  his  tip  for  bringing  me.  Even 
the  sheer-poles  were  polished  brass.  The  old  fel 
low  finally  led  us  below,  and  handed  Henry  a  small 
gold  piece,  and  then  offered  me  a  few  pounds  in 
advance,  requesting  me  to  sign  a  receipt  for  the 
same.  This  I  did,  and  then  Henry  left,  shaking 
me  heartily  by  the  hand  as  he  went  over  the  side. 
I  returned  his  grip,  for  I  felt  he  had  indeed  been 
my  friend. 

"  You  may  take  the  port  room  there,  Mr.  Hey- 
wood,  and  put  your  things  shipshape  as  soon  as 
Henry  gets  them  off  your  vessel.  If  the  second 
or  third  mate  comes  aft  to  see  me,  don't  fail  to  call 
me,  —  er  —  er,  you  know  I'm  quite  without  officers, 
sir,  but  will  probably  have  both  them  and  a  crew 
aboard  soon.  The  papers  have  not  been  made  out 
yet,  but  I  believe  I  have  your  receipt  for  your  ad 
vance.  Witnessed  by  Henry,  it  will  do,  I  suppose, 
but  I  am  not  afraid  of  you,  Mr.  Heywood.  You 
don't  look  like  a  man  to  take  advantage  of  a  ship's 
generosity."  Then  he  went  aft,  and  I  went  to  the 


B  A 


port  room.  It  meant  that  I  was  first  mate,  and  I 
opened  the  door  with  a  high  heart. 

There  was  nothing  at  all  in  the  stateroom  save 
an  old  clay  pipe  and  a  twist  of  tobacco.  The  bunk 
was  bare,  and  I  sat  upon  the  edge  of  it  speculating 
upon  my  good  fortune.  Finally  I  lit  the  pipe  and 
smoked.  The  smoke  wreaths  rolled  upward,  and, 
as  I  watched  them,  I  built  many  pleasant  things  in 
the  future. 

How  long  I  dreamed  I  don't  know,  but  it  was 
quite  late  in  the  afternoon  when  I  heard  a  hail  from 
the  shore  that  sounded  like  Henry's.  I  went  on 
deck  and  met  the  nigger  coming  from  the  galley 
to  the  boat.  I  noticed  what  a  strapping  buck  the 
fellow  was,  and  he  saw  me  watching  him. 

"  Disha  hooker'll  have  er  crew  soon.  Yassir, 
she  will  dat,"  said  he,  grinning  and  showing  a  row 
of  teeth  almost  as  pointed  and  white  as  those  of 
a  shark.  Then  he  climbed  over  the  rail,  and  was 
soon  sculling  to  the  shore,  where  I  saw  Henry  and 
two  men  waiting. 

They  came  aboard  and  were  ushered  into  the 
cabin  by  the  venerable  skipper,  whom  I  had  awak 
ened. 

'*  This  is  Mr.  Martin,"  said  Henry,  introducing 
the  first  one  with  the  air  of  a  man  presenting  a  lord. 
The  fellow  pulled  off  his  hat  and  squared  his  shoul 
ders.  and  then  looked  somewhat  disturbed  by  this 

24 


BARUE 


mark  of  respect.  He  was  clean  shaven,  with  a  great 
broad  head  set  upon  an  enormous  pair  of  shoulders. 
He  was  short  but  powerfully  built,  and  his  bright 
eyes  were  restless.  He  was  no  drunken  ship-rat, 
but  a  strong,  healthy  sailor. 

"  Mr.  Martin,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  meet  you, 
sir.  As  I  understand  you  wish  to  sign  as  second 
mate,  I  present  you  to  Mr.  Hey  wood,  the  first 
officer,"  and  he  nodded  to  me  with  a  graceful  sweep 
of  the  hand.  He  had  evidently  forgotten  Richards, 
but  I  did  not  feel  inclined  to  remind  him  at  that 
moment. 

The  fellow  looked  at  me  and  scowled,  at  the  same 
time  nodding.  This  sort  of  thing  was  more  than 
he  had  expected.  Then  he  broke  forth  in  broad 
Scotch  that  he  would  sign  or  go  ashore. 

"  Would  twenty  pound  a  month  do  you?  "  asked 
the  skipper,  wistfully. 

The  fellow  did  not  understand.  The  amount 
probably  dazed  him.  Captain  Watkins  repeated  the 
offer. 

"  Weel  an'  guid  !  weel  an'  guid  !  "  he  cried,  slap 
ping  his  stout  leg.  "  Let's  have  a  squint  o'  th' 
goold." 

"  I  shall  be  glad  to  hand  you  a  few  pounds  at 
once  in  advance,"  said  the  old  skipper.  "  Please 
sign  this  receipt  for  four  pounds,"  and  so  saying, 
he  produced  the  money. 

25 


The  fellow  put  it  in  his  clothes  and  signed  the 
paper  at  once. 

His  companion  stepped  up.  He  was  a  Swede  and 
blond.  His  blue  eyes  were  bleary  with  liquor,  and 
the  old  man  looked  at  him  and  shook  his  head  sadly. 

"  No  drinkin'  and  no  swearin'  aboard  here,  my 
friend  —  er  —  er  —  " 

"  Anderson,"  said  Henry. 

"  No  drinking  here,  Mr.  Anderson.  If  you'll 
accept  fifteen  pounds  a  month  and  three  pounds  in 
advance,  just  scratch  off  a  receipt  and  we'll  finish 
up  and  have  dinner." 

This  was  done  and  the  two  men  saw  Henry  over 
the  side,  giving  him,  as  I  had  done,  a  good  tip  for 
his  kind  interest  in  getting  them  such  fine  berths. 
Then  the  big  nigger  cleared  the  table  and  brought 
in  a  very  substanial  meal,  at  which  the  captain  and 
we  mates  fell  to. 

I  was  not  a  little  astonished  at  the  appearance  of 
Richards.  He  was  all  cleaned  up  and  wore  a  scarf 
tied  under  his  newly  shaved  chin.  He  was  always 
neat  in  appearance,  but  here  he  was,  without  any 
thing  apparently  to  tog  out  with,  all  rigged  as  fine 
as  though  he  were  going  ashore.  His  smooth  face, 
sunburned  and  lined  as  it  was  from  exposure,  seemed 
to  tell  of  much  hardship  in  the  past.  He  was  a 
solemn-looking  fellow  at  best,  and  to  see  him  togged 
out  in  this  shape,  with  his  hands  washed  and  old 

26 


«fe&2>THE  BLACIL  BARQUE 

clothes  brushed,  was  strange.  He  took  his  place  at 
the  table  without  a  word. 

"  You  see,"  said  Captain  Watkins,  looking  at  me 
with  his  sharp  eyes,  "  I  believe  in  the  equality  of 
all  men." 

I  nodded,  for  it  was  not  often  the  mates  and 
sailors  of  a  ship  had  a  chance  to  eat  in  the  forward 
cabin  of  a  vessel,  especially  together.  The  Scotch 
man,  Martin,  eyed  the  old  fellow  narrowly.  We 
could  not  all  be  mates. 

"  One  man's  as  good  as  another,  and  sometimes 
even  better,"  said  Richards,  softly. 

"  That's  it.  Even  a  black  man  is  as  good  as  a 
white  one.  Some  people  don't  think  so,  but  I  know 
it's  so,"  said  the  skipper. 

"  I've  seen  some  I  thought  better,"  said  Richards, 
helping  himself  to  a  piece  of  boiled  meat,  "  but  it 
don't  keep  people  from  jerking  them  up  for  slaves 
when  they  get  a  chance." 

"  I  have  known  slavers,"  said  the  old  man,  gen 
tly,  "  but  they  are  a  rough  set  and  capable  of  any 
crime.  On  our  last  voyage  one  of  those  fellows 
wanted  to  visit  me  during  a  calm,  but  I  was  afraid 
of  him  and  warned  him  away.  A  desperate-looking 
set  they  were." 

"  Must  have  frightened  you  badly,"  sneered 
Richards. 

The  old  skipper  looked  at  the  sailor.  There  was 
27 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


something  like  sadness  in  his  voice  as  he  an 
swered 

"  I'm  of  a  somewhat  timid  nature,  but  cannot 
help  it.  I  cannot  stand  seeing-  poor  coloured  folk 
made  to  suffer.  You  will  know  me  better  after  you 
have  sailed  with  me  for  a  voyage." 

I  thought  I  saw  just  the  glimmer  of  a  smile 
around  the  corners  of  his  mouth  as  he  said  this, 
and  looked  for  some  reply  from  my  talkative  mate. 
Richards  made  no  further  remark,  and  the  conver 
sation  turned  to  more  sailor-like  topics. 

We  talked  rather  late,  as  the  skipper  was  most 
fatherly  in  his  manner,  and,  when  the  fellow  Mar 
tin  suggested  he  would  go  ashore  and  get  his  dun 
nage,  it  was  found  that  Henry  had  taken  the  boat 
without  the  nigger,  and  had  not  sent  it  back  aboard. 

"  It  is  of  no  great  consequence,  I  hope,"  said 
Watkins.  "  You  two,  Mr.  Heywood  and  Richards, 
may  turn  in  the  port  room;  you,  Mr.  Martin  and 
Mr.  Anderson,  to  starboard,  and  perhaps  in  the 
morning  I  can  let  you  have  the  day  ashore." 

Then  we  separated.  Richards  and  I  tossed  a  coin 
to  see  who  would  get  the  bunk,  and  I  won.  I  ar 
ranged  my  coat  for  a  pillow  and  soon  fell  asleep, 
leaving  my  roommate  to  shift  for  himself  on  the 
deck. 

Once  or  twice  during  the  night  I  thought  I  heard 
stealthy  footsteps  overhead,  and  once  it  seemed  to 

28 


ARQUE 


me  that  the  barque  was  heeling  over  a  bit.  Finally 
I  was  awakened  by  a  loud  banging-  at  my  door,  and, 
springing  up,  found  it  was  broad  day.  Then  it 
suddenly  dawned  upon  me  that  the  barque  was  under 
way. 

Opening  the  door,  I  found  a  strange  fellow  scowl 
ing  at  me.  He  was  dressed  as  a  common  sailor 
and  was  a  bit  drunk. 

It  is  just  as  well  to  start  discipline  right  aboard 
a  ship,  thought  I,  so  I  hitched  my  trousers'  belt  the 
tighter  before  sailing  in  to  show  how  an  American 
mate  whangs  the  deviltry  and  liquor  out  of  a,  for 
eign  skin  when  aroused  from  pleasant  dreams.  I 
noticed  the  absence  of  Richards,  but  thought  he  had 
already  turned  out  for  duty.  Then  I  accosted  the 
fellow  and  asked  softly  what  he  wanted. 

"  What  cher  doin'  in  my  room,  yer  bloomin' 
swine?  "  he  howled.  "  Git  out  an'  —  " 

I  had  stopped  him  with  a  right  swing  on  the  jaw, 
and  the  next  instant  we  were  loping  about  that  cabin 
in  fine  style.  In  a  moment  there  was  a  rush  of  feet, 
and  something  crashed  on  my  head.  Then  followed 
stars  and  darkness. 


29 


CHAPTER    IV. 

SHANGHAIED 

WHEN  I  came  again  into  this  world,  I  found 
myself  lying1  in  a  dark,  dirty  hole  of  a  forecastle. 
There  was  not  a  man  there,  but,  as  I  looked  over 
the  empty  berths,  I  saw  plenty  of  clothes  and  bed 
ding,  which  gave  evidence  of  a  full  crew. 

Getting  to  my  feet,  I  found  my  head  sorely  cut 
and  bruised,  and  wondered  what  had  happened.  A 
throbbing  pain  across  the  eyes  did  little  to  aid  my 
thoughts,  and,  while  I  stood  holding  to  the  ladder 
down  which  I  had  been  flung,  the  scuttle  above  me 
was  thrust  back  and  the  fellow  Martin  started  down. 

"  Aha!  "  he  said  when  he  saw  me,  "  'twas  a  guid 
wan  ye  got  ain  yer  haid.  A  clout  will  do  ye  na 
harm,  ye  thievin'  trixter,  ye  deceivin'  rascal.  Now 
I'll  give  you  one  for  aid  lang  syne,  an'  teach  ye 
better  to  deceive  a  honest  mon  ag'in." 

While  talking,  he  turned  back  the  sleeves  of  his 
jumper  and  made  ready  to  carry  out  his  threat. 
He  saw  I  made  no  movement,  however,  and  hesi 
tated. 

30 


BLAC1L  BARQUE  Ai^ 

"  Defend  yairself,  mon,  defend  yairself.  Do  not 
let  me  whollop  yer  like  a  babe,"  and  he  advanced 
toward  me  with  his  hands  before  him  in  some  very 
fair  style. 

"  See  here,"  I  said,  "  what  the  mischief  has  hap 
pened?  What  are  you  driving  at?  I've  played 
no  trick,  but  it  looks  like  some  one  has  played  a 
trick  on  me." 

"  Ah,  na  backslidin',  ye  corward,  na  backslidin' ! 
Yer  can't  fool  a  canny  sailormaun  that  way.  Put 
yer  hands  before  yer  ugly  face,  or  I'll  whollop  ye 
like  er  babe." 

"  I'm  not  afraid  of  your  wholloping,  Scotty.  Let 
me  get  a  turn  about  my  head  a  bit,  and  pull  this 
ragged  shirt  off.  Wonderful  clean  fo'castle  this. 
No  drunks^  no  filthy  dunnage  overhauled,  no — 
what  infernal  ship  is  this,  anyway  ?  " 

He  saw  I  was  not  joking.  Indeed,  my  appear 
ance,  as  his  eyes  grew  accustomed  to  the  gloom, 
put  joking  aside,  and  my  last  remark  about  the 
vessel  was  true. 

He  dropped  his  hands  and  stared  at  me. 

"  Ware  ye  sure  rung  in  like  the  rest  ?  Waren't 
ye  in  the  game?  "  Then  he  burst  into*  a  hoarse  laugh 
and  held  out  his  hand.  At  that  minute  the  tramp 
of  feet  sounded  overhead,  and  a  half-score  of  men 
came  clattering  down  the  companion-ladder. 

It  was  a  mixed  crew,  —  Norwegians,  Swedes,  da- 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


goes,  and  Dutchmen,  —  but  all  with  the  unmistak 
able  swing  of  the  deep-water  sailor.  They  stared 
at  me,  and  then  started  a  gabble  of  language  that 
in  my  disturbed  condition  I  failed  to  understand. 
They  crowded  around  me  and  asked  questions,  and 
I  noticed  Anderson  eyeing  me  suspiciously.  Then 
Martin,  with  a  sweep  of  his  hand,  cut  them  off, 
and  began  telling  how  I  came  aboard.  When  he 
was  through  with  his  flowery  description  of  Henry, 
I  noticed  several  men  shake  their  clenched  hands 
aft. 

"  Well,"  said  I,  "  I'm  the  mate,  and  I  guess  I'll 
go  aft  and  find  out  who  rapped  me  over  the  head. 
Some  fellows  in  the  other  watch,  I  suppose." 

They  burst  into  derisive  laughter. 

"  We  Ye  all  mates  and  captains  here,"  sung  out  a 
big  Norwegian  addressed  as  Bill.  "  You  better 
turn  in  while  you  may,  friend  Heywood.  You're 
in  Henry's  watch,  an'  the  captain  ain't  turned  out 
yet." 

"  Who's  the  old  man?  "  I  asked,  bewildered,  and 
thinking  I  must  still  be  daffy  from  the  crack  on  the 
head. 

"  Ain't  seen  him  yet,"  said  several  at  once. 

"  Well,  what  infernal  hooker  am  I  in,  anyway?  " 
I  asked  Martin. 

"  They  call  her  The  Gentle  Hand,  but  there  ain't 
na  name  painted  on  her.  Some  says  she's  the  Fly- 

32 


BC.  BARUE 


by-Night,  Howard's  old  pirate  barque,  but  that 
canna  weel  be.  She's  light.  Not  a  hundred  ton 
below  decks,  an*  that's  mostly  stores." 

"  The  Fly-by-Night  was  a  cruising  brig  before 
the  first  war  with  England,"  I  said.  "  It  can't  pos 
sibly  be  that  old  hooker.  Besides,  she  was  used 
against  the  French  by  your  General  Braddock." 

"  Well,  when  you  find  out  just  what  we've  gotten 
into,  coom  an'  tell  us,"  said  Martin. 

It  had  been  slowly  dawning  upon  me  that  I  had 
been  the  victim  of  a  trick,  and  I  felt  in  my  pocket 
for  the  advance  I  had  received  the  day  before.  The 
barque  was  under  way,  that  was  certain,  but  no  one 
seemed  to  know  where  she  was  bound,  and,  as  I 
fumbled  through  my  clothes,  Martin  laughed. 

"  'Twas  guid  money,  Heywood,  but  'tis  gone.  I 
missed  mine  this  morning.  Maybe  Anderson  can 
tell  where  it  is,"  and  he  grinned. 

The  money  was  gone.  That  was  certain.  Yet  it 
was  no  dream.  I  had  received  it  fair  enough.  Feel 
ing  anger  and  hatred  for  the  trick  upon  me,  I  bound 
up  my  head  and  went  up  the  ladder  to  the  deck  to 
have  a  look  around.  Several  men  called  out  to  me 
to  have  a  care  of  the  mate,  but  most  of  them  were 
busy  arranging  their  belongings,  quarrelling  and 
fighting  among  themselves  over  the  possession  of 
what  clothes  happened  to  be  common  to  the  crowd. 
I  saw  Martin  steal  a  pair  of  tarpaulin  trousers  from 

33 


B  A 


a  fellow  who  was  wrestling  with  the  sailor  Bill  for 
the  possession  of  a  bag-  of  straw  bedding.  Then 
I  stepped  on  deck. 

The  cool  air  did  me  good.  I  went  to  the  rail 
and  looked  over.  The  barque  was  going  steadily 
to  the  southward  with  ever}7  rag  set.  She  was  heel 
ing  but  gently,  and  there  was  little  wind  or  sea. 
She  was  braced  a  bit  to  starboard,  her  port  tack 
aboard,  and  by  her  trimming  I  saw  she  was  under 
English  officers.  Every  yard  just  in  line  with  its 
fellow,  from  the  big  main  to  the  little  royal  that 
crossed  a  good  hundred  and  seventy  feet  above  the 
sea.  Far  away  to  the  eastward  showed  the  even 
outline  of  the  French  coast,  and  between  us  many 
sails  strung  along  the  band  of  blue,  their  hulls  either 
just  below  or  rising  above  the  horizon's  line.  The 
day  was  fine  and  the  easterly  breeze  gentle,  and  the 
barque  was  swinging  easily  along. 

I  looked  aft  and  saw  men  of  the  mate's  watch 
at  work  setting  up  the  backstays  in  the  main-rig 
ging,  and  some  on  the  mizzen  topsail-yard,  appar 
ently  under  the  direction  of  Richards,  serving  a 
worn  foot-rope.  The  canvas  covers  were  off  the 
guns,  and  a  dozen  bright  twelve-pounders  of  pol 
ished  brass  shone  in  the  sunlight.  The  white  deck 
beneath  and  the  varnished  spars  above  made  a  pretty 
picture,  and  I  grew  warm  to  think  that  I  was  not 
indeed  the  mate  of  such  a  craft.  They  had  played 

34 


LACK-  BARQUE 


a  fine  trick  on  me  to  get  me  aboard  sober  and  with 
out  compulsion,  signing  a  receipt  for  an  advance 
equal  to  a  couple  of  months'  ordinary  wages.  There 
were  plenty  of  sailors  about  the  pier-heads,  for  the 
war  had  turned  many  adrift  without  means  of  get 
ting  a  ship,  and  there  seemed  to  be  no  reason  why 
these  fellows  should  try  their  land-shark  game  in 
getting  a  crew. 

As  I  looked  aft  it  dawned  upon  me  that  these 
men  were  much  better  than  the  ordinary  run  of 
common  sailors.  There  was  something  in  the  fel 
low's  walk  I  now  saw  crossing  the  deck  that  spoke 
of  the  war-ship.  Even  the  watch  I  had  just  seen 
below  were  remarkably  rough  and  tough  specimens 
of  a  rugged  humanity. 

While  I  stood  there  taking  in  the  scene,  I  saw  a 
man  come  from  aft  and  walk  to  the  break  of  the 
poop.  He  looked  over  the  barque  carefully,  and 
as  his  gaze  came  down  the  fore-rigging  it  stopped 
upon  me. 

He  was  dressed  something  after  the  manner  of 
a  preacher,  with  black  cloth  coat  and  stock,  and  his 
hair  was  cut  short.  As  I  took  his  figure  in,  there 
was  little  difficulty  in  recognizing  Richard  Ray 
mond,  the  man  of  peace.  He  beckoned  me  to  come 
aft,  and,  as  I  did  so,  he  removed  the  huge  drooping 
moustache  he  had  been  wearing  and  tossed  it  over 
the  side. 

35 


THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

"  I  reckon  you  know  me  now,  Hey  wood,"  said 
he,  "  though  it's  been  over  six  years  since  we  parted. 
I  wanted  you  on  this  voyage,  and  took  some  pains 
to  get  ye.  That  was  the  old  man  who  welted  ye 
over  the  head.  I'm  sorry  for  it." 

It  was  Hawkson,  sure  enough.  I  recognized  him 
easily  now  in  spite  of  his  gray  hair  and  older  look. 
How  I  failed  to  recognize  him  at  first  even  in  his 
disguise  puzzled  me.  We  had  made  the  cruise  in 
the  Petrel  together,  and  had  served  on  the  man-of- 
war. 

"  Well,  you've  got  me  fast  enough,  though  you 
played  a  mean  trick  getting  me.  Now  what's  the 
game?  "  said  I. 

The  old  privateersman  smiled,  and  his  jaws 
worked  as  though  muttering  to  himself.  His  face 
creased  into  ugly  lines  about  his  large  mouth,  and 
he  showed  his  teeth. 

"I'm  first  officer  here.  That  fellow  Gull  you 
fouled  this  morning  is  second.  Remember  this  first 
and  the  rest'll  come  easy.  Henry  is  third  mate, 
and  I  hear  them  say  that  you're  to  be  made  gunner. 
How's  that?" 

"  Who's  them  ?  "  I  asked,  somewhat  nettled. 

"  Them's  us,  sonny.  The  old  man,  the  two  gen 
tlemen  aft,  myself,  and  the  rest." 

"  Where  are  we  bound  for,  and  what's  the  hook- 


THE  BLACK.  BARQUE  &&» 

er's  name?  It's  all  well  enough  to  be  cribbed  aboard 
a  ship,  but  I'm  going  to  find  out  what's  the  game." 

"  We're  bound  for  the  South  Pacific;  that's  all 
clear  as  mud,  an'  we've  got  a  picked  crew  because 
the  business  in  hand  needs  honest  men." 

"  I  bow  to  myself,"  I  answered.  "  If  s  well  to 
know." 

"  What  more  do  you  want,  hey?  Go  forrads  an' 
turn  in,  an'  I'll  square  ye  with  the  fellow  Gull. 
Don't  let  them  see  me  talkin'  too  much  with  ye, 
sonny,  or  I'll  have  to  forget  the  past  for  the  needs 
o'  the  present.  You're  aboard  a  fine  ship." 

"  Well,"  I  answered,  "  that's  all  good  enough,  but 
I  would  like  to  know  her  name  and  who's  her  skip 
per,  —  and  what's  more,  I'm  going  to  find  out  right 
away." 

Hawkson's  eyes  glinted  with  that  light  I  knew 
so  well  meant  danger,  and  his  ugly  mouth  worked 
nervously. 

"  Perhaps  you'd  care  to  go  aft  and  interview  the 
captain  about  it,"  said  he,  with  his  drawl.  "  He's 
a  gentleman  every  inch,  and  will  be  a  revelation  to 
ye  after  them  packets  you've  sailed  in.  Suppose 
you  lay  aft  and  make  out  your  own  case.  You 
were  always  an  obstinate  youngster,  but  I  reckon 
since  you've  been  mate  your  head's  swelled  worse'n 
ever." 

I  knew  Hawkson  to  be  one  of  the  most  dangerous 
37 


BL 


men  afloat  when  aroused,  but  about  this  time  I  was 
not  exactly  a  lambkin  myself.  A  man  does  not 
become  mate  of  a  western  ocean  packet  with  any 
thing  lamblike  in  his  make-up,  unless  it  is  by  acci 
dent  for  one  voyage.  I  was  not  quarrelsome,  but 
resented  with  righteous  indignation  the  manner  in 
which  I  had  been  kidnapped  in  broad  daylight  with 
out  even  being  under  the  influence  of  liquor.  The 
simplicity  of  the  whole  affair  maddened  me,  and 
not  even  the  fellowship  of  Martin  and  Anderson 
or  others  in  the  list  of  victims  detracted  one  jot 
from  the  implied  lack  of  ordinary  precautions  and 
common  sense.  I  started  up  the  weather  side  of 
the  poop  to  go  aft,  and  I  noticed  several  fellows  to 
leeward  looking  at  me. 

"  Go  to  lor'ard,"  growled  Hawkson,  fiercely. 

But  I  paid  no  attention,  and  was  half-way  up  the 
steps  when  a  man  came  up  the  after  companion 
and  walked  toward  me.  As  he  reached  the  deck 
and  turned  before  I  had  gotten  up,  I  stopped  short, 
looking  at  him.  It  was  Captain  Howard,  the  pirate. 


CHAPTER   V. 

IN   THE    FOVSLE 

I  WILL  admit  my  zeal  abated  a  trifle  when  I  met 
the  captain's  gaze,  but  I  was  not  much  afraid  of 
any  man,  so  up  the  ladder  I  went  and  toward  him. 

He  saw  me  approaching  and  stopped.  Then  he 
demanded  in  a  high  voice  from  Hawkson  what  I 
wanted  and  why  I  was  allowed  up  the  weather  side 
of  the  quarter-deck. 

"  He's  a  bit  daffy,  sir,"  said  Hawkson,  touching 
his  cap.  "  That  crack  on  the  pate  you  gave  him  has 
turned  his  burgoo  case.  He'll  be  all  right  soon,  sir." 

"  Daffy  or  not,"  said  I,  "  I  want  to  know  what 
ship  I'm  in  and  where  she's  bound,  —  and  I'm  going 
to  find  out." 

The  ugly  face  of  Captain  Howard  was  inscru 
table.  His  glassy  eyes  like  those  of  some  reptile 
were  fixed  upon  me.  His  thin,  hooked  nose  ap 
peared  like  the  beak  of  an  albatross.  He  took  off 
his  hat  and  bowed  to  me  politely,  saying: 

"  It  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  listen  to  you, 
sir."  I  noticed  his  poll  was  as  smooth  and  hair- 

39 


less  as  the  sole  of  my  foot,  only  a  red  seam  that 
stretched  from  the  crown  to  his  left  ear  wrinkled 
its  bronzed  roundness. 

"  Well,"  I  said,  more  mildly,  "  I  would  like  to 
find  out  what  ship  I'm  in  and  where  she's  going." 

"  Were  you  drunk,  sir,  when  you  came  aboard 
her?  "  he  asked,  calmly. 

"  I  was  not,"  I  answered,  warmly. 

"Were  you  blind?" 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Well,  then,  you  have  permission  to  look  about 
you,  and,  if  you're  the  sailor  you  claim  to  be,  you 
will  perceive  this  is  a  barque.  She  is  called  the 
Gentle  Hand.  She  is  bound  for  the  South  Atlantic." 

"  But  I  shipped  as  mate  of  her,"  I  stammered. 

"  That  is  manifestly  impossible.  Mr.  Hawkson 
has  been  mate  of  her  for  some  time.  That  was 
probably  a  little  joke  of  Watkins,  the  steward." 
Here  he  threw  up  his  head  and  burst  into  a  rattling 
laugh,  his  mouth  slightly  open,  but  his  face  other 
wise  unmoved. 

"  He,  he,  he  !  "  he  rattled,  "  you'll  be  a  mate  fast 
enough,  —  a  gunner's  mate.  And,  if  that  don't 
suit  you,  Mr.  Hawkson  will  introduce  you  to  the 
gunner's  daughter.  Go  forward  now  and  remem 
ber  that  if  you  come  on  the  weather  side  of  the 
quarter-deck  while  I'm  here,  I'll  write  my  name  on 
you  with  a  hot  iron.  Do  you  see?  Ho,  ho,  ho! 

40 


BC-  BARUE 


That  Watkins  is  a  tricky  knave  and  you  have  my 
permission  to  manhandle  him.  There  he  is  now. 
Breakfast  —  " 

As  he  spoke,  the  venerable  old  scoundrel  emerged 
from  the  door  of  the  forward  cabin,  and,  standing 
upon  the  poop  step,  announced  that  the  morning 
meal  was  ready.  There  was  little  left  for  me  but 
to  get  forward.  The  "  gunner's  daughter  "  on  that 
ship  I  knew  was  the  sinister  name  applied  to  the 
breech  of  one  of  the  guns,  and  an  introduction  con 
sisted  of  being  held  over  it  with  a  naked  back,  while 
a  sailor  cut  the  victim  to  ribbons  with  a  cat-o'-nine 
tails. 

As  the  old  rascal  Watkins  stood  there  announc 
ing  breakfast,  he  recognized  me  and  grinned. 

"  It  isn't  well  to  laugh  early  in  the  morning/' 
I  said,  as  I  went  past  him.  The  captain  went  below, 
and  I  stopped  on  the  last  step  of  the  poop-ladder. 
"  For  sometimes  it's  rude."  Here  I  caught  him  a 
cuff  with  the  flat  of  my  hand  that  sounded  all  over 
the  deck,  knocking  him  a  couple  of  fathoms  toward 
the  main-hatch.  A  man  to  leeward  laughed  out 
right,  and  even  Hawkson  chuckled. 

The  old  fellow  recovered  himself,  and  his  grin 
was  conspicuously  absent  as  he  came  toward  me 
in  a  menacing  manner. 

"  Now  you  trot  along,  Noah,"  said  I.    "  I'll  give 


you  one  like  that  every  little  while  until  I  find  that 
advance  money  back  in  my  pocket." 

He  stopped  in  front  of  me,  and  his  mouth  worked 
nervously.  His  eyes  seemed  to  disappear  under 
his  shaggy  brows,  and  his  beard  fairly  bristled  with 
rage. 

I  was  a  stout  man  among  stout  men,  and  he  saw 
there  was  little  use  speaking  out  loud.  Then  he 
turned  and  went  into  the  cabin,  where  Captain  How 
ard  was  bawling  for  him  to  bring  his  coffee. 

"  Better  have  let  the  old  man  alone,  Heywood," 
said  Hawkson.  "  There's  a  lot  of  trouble  bottled 
up  in  his  old  carcass." 

"  Well,  I'm  uncorking  a  few  of  my  own,"  I  said, 
"  and  if  that  second  mate  turns  out  while  I  have 
my  hands  warm,  there'll  be  some  more." 

Hawkson  chuckled. 

"  You're  taking  things  rather  hard,  ain't  ye? 
You'll  be  mighty  glad  they  took  ye  aboard  the  old 
pirate  before  you're  through." 

"  Well,"  I  said,  "  you've  not  answered  my  ques 
tion,  and  I'm  going  to  find  out  a  few  things  in 
my  own  way.  Piracy  is  nonsense  these  days,  though 
if  there  were  such  things,  you'd  be  in  them  all  right. 
How  did  that  skipper  get  command  of  this  vessel, 
anyway,  and  where  is  she  headed  for  ?  " 

"  I  told  you  we  were  bound  for  the  South  At 
lantic.  Just  where,  you'll  find  out  by  the  time  we 

42 


get  there.  We're  to  stop  at  Nassau  to  take  the 
owners  aboard  and  then  go  ahead.  That's  all  there 
is  to  it.  Sailing  to  the  Bahamas  and  then  around 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  over  to  where  the  owners 
want  to  go.  That's  plain  as  mud,  ain't  it  ?  " 

"  How  about  the  pay?  Do  you  suppose  I'll  go 
for  nothing?  " 

"  The  pay  is  good,  no  fear.  You  won't  lose  any 
thing.  Why,  most  of  these  fellows  here  have 
shipped  without  knowing  any  more'n  you  do,  so 
what's  the  use  making  trouble  for  yourself?  It's 
a  regular  trading  voyage.  Just  plain  trading  in 
the  Atlantic,  an'  if  we  get  the  best  of  some  trades, 
why  —  so  much  the  better  for  the  owners  and  all 
hands.  The  owners  are  all  right,  sonny,  an'  they'll 
be  here  to  settle." 

"  Well,  if  you  had  only  told  me  this,"  I  answered, 
"  I  would  probably  have  shipped  anyhow,  though  I 
don't  care  about  going  forrard  again." 

"  That's  what  I  was  afraid  of,  an'  the  officers' 
berths  were  full.  Three  or  four  o'  the  A.  B.'s  for- 
rards  has  been  mates  before.  You'll  be  all  right 
as  gunner  if  you  leave  this  after-guard  alone.  It's 
goin'  to  take  all  your  care  now  to  clear  Watkins. 
He'll  kill  you  the  first  chance  he  gets." 

"  Bah  !  "  I  said,  turning  to  go. 

Hawkson  left  me  and  went  aft.  I  hesitated  a 
few  moments,  looking  around  to  see  if  any  one  on 

43 


HACK.  BARQUE 

deck  had  heard  our  talk,  but  there  was  no  one  near 
enough,  and  those  who  saw  us  might  have  thought 
the  mate  was  giving  me  a  reprimand  for  whanging 
the  old  steward.  Hawkson  would  be  friendly  in 
a  rough  way,  and  I  did  not  care  for  all  hands  to 
know  it.  As  I  was  in  Mr.  Gull's  watch,  I  had  four 
hours  below  before  confronting  that  gentleman, 
and  I  might  as  well  take  advantage  of  them,  as  my 
head  was  very  painful.  Taking  one  more  look  over 
the  vessel  and  beyond  where  sunlight  danced  upon 
the  wrinkled  blue  surface  of  the  ocean,  I  went  to 
the  forecastle  hatch  and  forthwith  below.  Here  I 
took  possession  of  a  bunk  which  the  thoughtful 
owners  had  cleaned  and  painted,  and,  announcing 
my  claim  to  the  watch  who  had  finished  a  late  break 
fast,  sat  upon  its  edge  and  munched  a  piece  of  hard 
bread. 

"  I  see  ye  whack  the  old  duffer  Watkins,"  said 
the  fellow  Bill.  "  What'd  yer  hit  him  for?  " 

I  told  him,  and  looked  at  Martin  to  see  if  he 
agreed  to  my  accusations  against  the  old  rascal's 
honesty.  He  smoked  in  silence. 

"  D'ye  know  who  Watkins  is  ?  "  asked  a  big  Finn 
with  a  long  black  beard,  "  because  if  you  don't, 
you're  apt  to  find  out  too  late." 

"Do  you  know  me?"  I  asked. 

The  fellow  looked  surlily  at  me. 


44 


BLACK-  BARQUE 


"  Because  if  you  fellows  down  here  don't,  some 
of  you  will  find  out  all  of  a  sudden." 

I  had  noticed  that  they  had  left  the  mess  things 
lying  about,  as  if  awaiting  something,  and  then  I 
had  a  grave  suspicion  that  the  something  was  my 
self,  whom  they  would  delegate  to  clean  up  after 
them.  It  was  just  as  well  to  take  the  matter  in 
hand  at  the  beginning,  and  if  there  was  to  be  a 
fracas  to  see  who  was  to  be  the  boss  of  that  crowd, 
the  earlier  the  better. 

The  big  Finn  gazed  at  me,  but  said  nothing,  and 
Bill  seemed  to  size  me  up  closely. 

"Who  and  what  is  that  old  swab,  Watkins?" 
I  asked,  suddenly  turning  upon  Bill. 

"  They  say  he  was  mate  with  Howard  when  he 
was  a  boy.  Served  thirty  years  for  a  few  things 
they  did  in  the  China  Seas.  Killed  more'n  forty 
men." 

"  Well,"  I  answered,  "  if  some  one  had  taken  him 
in  hand  before  he'd  killed  the  last  thirty-nine,  he 
would  have  a  better  chance  than  he  has  now  for 
keeping  out  of  the  devil's  company.  Now  you  get 
hold  of  those  mess  things,  William,  and  make  the 
Czar's  cousin  here  lend  a  hand.  If  you  don't,  I'll 
make  you  wish  Watkins  was  here  to  run  this  mess 
when  the  watch  is  called." 

Here  I  lounged  back  in  my  pew,  finishing  off 
with  a  chunk  of  salt  beef  and  a  cup  of  cold  water. 

45 


Afterward  I  lit  a  pipe  and  smoked  complacently, 
while  keeping  a  lookout  to  see  what  the  crowd  would 
do. 

Bill  was  a  fine  specimen  of  the  Norwegian  sailor, 
and  he  surveyed  the  mess  things  contemptuously 
for  a  few  minutes.  Then  he  seized  upon  a  stocky 
little  Dane,  and  bade  him  carry  the  things  away. 
The  men,  having  finished,  were  talking  and  smok 
ing,  sitting  in  their  pews  or  upon  the  sea-chests  the 
more  lucky  happened  to  bring  aboard.  They  saw 
Bill's  move,  and  a  murmur  of  disapproval  -ran 
among  them.  Several  pointed  at  me,  but  I  smoked 
in  silence,  feeling  much  better  for  having  eaten  some 
thing,  and  recovered  my  usual  strength  and  spirits. 
In  a  few  minutes  we  might  be  called  on  deck,  per 
haps,  to  trim  sail,  but  if  not,  the  after-breakfast 
smoke  would  be  followed  by  an  arranging  of  the 
forecastle.  The  little  Dane  entered  a  loud  protest 
against  his  new  duties,  but  Bill  silenced  him  quickly 
with  an  oath. 

"  You  do  as  I  tell  yer.  I'll  settle  with  the  Yank 
later,"  said  he. 

'''  There's  no  time  like  the  present/'  said  I,  putting 
my  pipe  away  and  slowly  rising  out  of  my  pew. 
"  I'm  the  high  cock  of  this  roost,  and  when  I  give 
an  order  below  here  there  needn't  be  any  settlement 
called  for.  Peel  off!  Get  ready,  for  I'm  coming 
for  you,  William." 

46 


BARUE 


The  loungers  looked  up,  and  Martin  chuckled. 

"  Coom,  coom,  a  fair  fight,  an'  may  the  best  mon 
win,"  he  cried.  "  Gie  us  room,  laddies,  gie  us  room. 
I'll  back  the  Yank,  mon,  and,  Anderson,  ye  knave, 
ye'll  back  yer  Scandinavian." 

Bill  was  not  a  coward,  but  he  had  the  blood  of 
a  peaceful  race  in  his  veins.  He  was  very  strong 
and  able,  and  he  cursed  me  heartily,  while  I  calmly 
pulled  off  my  upper  garment.  His  fierce  threats 
only  made  me  more  determined  to  put  him1  through, 
for  the  more  he  swore  the  angrier  he  became,  telling 
plainly  that  the  matter  was  not  so  greatly  to  his 
taste. 

As  gunner  or  petty  officer  of  any  rank  aboard  ship, 
it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  make  a  clear  start,  in 
order  to  avoid  disagreements  later.  The  weaker 
must  be  made  to  act  as  cook  for  the  mess,  and  there 
was  no  help  for  it.  It  was  the  rule  that  had  to  be 
established  in  the  same  old  way. 

Martin  drew  a  line  across  the  deck  with  a  piece 
of  charred  wood.  I  stepped  up  to  it  and  placed  the 
toe  of  my  left  foot  upon  it  and  was  ready.  Bill 
quickly  swaggered  up,  and  I  landed  like  lightning 
upon  his  jaw.  He  staggered  back  into  the  arms 
of  Anderson.  Then  he  spit  out  a  mouthful  of  blood, 
and  came  at  me  with  an  oath  and  a  rush. 


CHAPTER   VI. 


I    BECOME   "  COCK   OF   THE    WALK  " 


THERE  was  nothing  brutal  or  rough  in  this  en 
counter,  and,  if  it  savours  of  the  commonplace 
•sailor's  brawl,  I  can  only  say  that  such  are  the  cus 
toms  on  deep-water  ships,  and  they  must  continue 
through  all  time.  Life  at  sea  is  not  always  gentle. 
There  is  no  use  trying  to  make  it  so.  It  is  nearly 
always  a  fight  against  the  elements,  and  the  rough 
ness  prevents  the  customs  from  becoming  effete  as 
those  of  the  drawing-room,  where  an  easy  tongue 
and  sarcastic  wit  does  the  hurting.  This  is  said 
to  be  refined  and  not  brutal,  but  for  my  part  I  have 
seen  men  more  brutally  and  cruelly  hurt  by  words 
than  by  fists.  A  person  with  a  weak  stomach  will 
stand  an  uncommon  lot  of  verbal  brutality,  but 
when  it  takes  a  physical  form,  they  shrink  from  it 
and  cry  out  that  it  is  degrading.  It  is  less  degrading 
than  a  vile  tongue. 

When  Bill  landed  upon  me,  there  was  something 
of  a  mix-up,  and  some  short-arm  work  that  might 
have  proved  interesting  to  lovers  of  sport.  We 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


were  in  pretty  good  training,  and  the  thuds  O'f  our 
blows  sounded  healthily  through  the  little  forecastle. 
The  men  lounging  in  their  pews  and  gazing  com 
placently  at  us,  their  bodies  and  legs  well  out  of  the 
way,  made  a  very  appreciative  audience  and  left  the 
deck  perfectly  clear.  Their  remarks  were  not  al 
ways  well  advised,  for  they  clamoured  loudly  for 
Bill  to  put  the  finishing  touches  to  me,  while  I  jolted 
him  repeatedly  upon  the  side  of  his  bullet-head. 

Finally  Martin  and  Anderson  separated  us  for 
a  breathing  spell,  and  I  had  a  chance  to  look  about 
the  room  with  the  one  eye  left  me  for  duty.  Then 
I  noticed  the  companionway  blocked  by  the  forms 
of  two  men  who  were  somewhat  remarkable  in  ap 
pearance.  They  were  dressed  in  the  height  of  fash 
ion,  and  sat  upon  the  topmost  steps  smoking  and 
looking  interested.  The  younger  was  about  my 
own  age,  and  good-looking,  and  his  companion  was 
nearer  middle  age,  with  a  face  describing  free  living. 

"  I  have  your  money  on  that  first  round,"  said 
the  younger.  "  The  Yank  drew  first  blood,"  and 
he  pulled  forth  a  handsome  gold  watch  and  noted 
the  time. 

"  Two  to  one  he  loses  yet,"  said  the  older  man, 
carelessly,  as  though  it  was  of  no  consequence  what 
ever. 

That  stirred  something  within  me. 

"  Perhaps  you  would  care  for  a  turn,"  I  sug- 

49 


BC1L  BARUE 


gested,  turning  sharply  at  him.  But  he  laughed 
immoderately,  and  the  younger  man  joined,  slapping 
his  leg,  crying: 

"  I'll  take  you!    I'll  take  you!  " 

At  that  instant  time  was  called  by  Martin,  and 
we  went  at  it  again. 

There  is  no  use  going  into  the  details  of  the  finish, 
but  it  will  suffice  to  say  that  the  American  eagle 
which  was  tattooed  upon  my  breast  had  no  reason 
to  blush.  I  was  somewhat  aroused  by  the  unfriendly 
tone  of  the  Englishman  above,  and  I  jolted  Bill 
rather  roughly  upon  the  point  of  his  jaw.  It  was 
not  viciously  done,  but  at  the  same  time  I  put  a 
bit  of  weight  into  my  hand,  and  my  heavily  limbed 
antagonist  dropped  to  the  floor.  Anderson  tried  to 
get  him  to  start  again,  but  he  reeled  as  he  reached 
his  knees  and  swayed  hopelessly  for  a  space.  The 
motion  of  the  ship  seemed  to  bother  him  also. 

"My  money!  My  money!"  cried  the  younger 
man  above.  "  The  Yank  has  him  going." 

It  was  more  than  that,  and  I  felt  sorry  for  Bill. 
He  was  out  of  it,  and  a  heavy  jolt  might  mean 
something  serious.  I  went  to  my  bunk  and  began 
to  put  my  clothes  on,  while  Martin  cried  for  me 
to  wait.  "  I'll  give  you  a  turn  another  time,"  I 
said,  shortly. 

"  No,  no,  he  isn't  done  for  yet,"  they  all  cried, 
but  I  knew  better. 

50 


BLACK.  BARUE 


Poor  Bill  !  He  turned  his  face  up,  and  I  saw 
his  vacant  eyes  trying  to  grasp  the  situation.  He 
was  game  enough,  and  struggled  to  rise,  swaying 
to  and  fro  like  an  unstayed  topmast.  The  deck 
would  slant  away  from  him  and  his  hand  would 
reach  cut  for  support.  Then  the  barque  heaved  a 
bit  to  leeward,  and  he  staggered,  swayed,  and  then 
pitched  forward  prone  and  lay  still. 

"  Pour  water  over  him,  mon,  pour  water  over 
him,"  cried  Martin,  and  Anderson  sluiced  the  al 
lowance  in  the  forecastle  over  the  fallen  man's 
head.  Then  they  raised  him  and  put  him  in  his 
pew,  and,  by  the  time  I  had  finished  dressing,  he 
was  sitting  up  regarding  me  curiously. 

"  Now,  William,"  said  I,  "  just  as  soon  as  you  feel 
better,  you  take  hold  of  these  mess  things  and  get 
them  cleaned  up  and  shipshape.  Jorg  there  can  lend 
you  a  hand  this  morning,  and,  if  he  doesn't  bear 
a  hand,  I'll  see  what  kind  of  skin  they  raise  in 
Finland."  And  I  nodded  to  the  bearded  fellow 
who  had  chosen  to  question  me  regarding  Watkins. 
Then  I  settled  myself  for  a  nap,  and  tied  a  rag  over 
my  bruised  side-light,  while  I  smoked  and  listened 
to  the  discussions  around  me. 

The  younger  man  who  sat  in  the  companion,  and 
who  had  backed  me,  now  arose  and  stood  twisting 
the  ends  of  his  little  blond  moustache  while  he  looked 
down.  His  face  was  tanned  a  ruddy  brown,  and 

Si 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


I  was  not  inclined  to  find  fault  with  his  looks.  His 
companion  cursed  his  luck  and  Bill,  his  face  almost 
purple  with  anger  and  his  black  beard  fairly  bris 
tling. 

"  I'll  own  I've  lost,  Sir  John,  but  may  the  curse 
of  the  vikings  strike  that  lubber  I  backed,"  he 
growled.  "  One  wouldn't  think  there  was  so  little 
in  such  a  big  fellow.  I  thought  Hawkson  had  a 
picked  crew,  but,  if  that  fellow  Bill's  the  best,  they're 
a  poor  lot." 

"  I  think  the  Yank  proved  satisfactorily  the  Sou'- 
wegian  isn't  the  best  man  in  the  forecastle.  Bill 
is  all  right  enough.  Come  along.  They'll  be  all 
right  for  our  business." 

"And  what  is  their  business?"  I  asked  Martin, 
as  they  went  aft.  "Is  it  to  come  forrard  and  try 
and  get  on  a  fracas  for  their  amusement?  For 
if  that's  their  lay,  I'll  see  they  get  one  before  long 
if  they  are  passengers." 

"  I  hear  they're  part-owners.  The  owners  will 
join  at  the  islands.  It's  themselves  who  are  runnin' 
the  vessel  an'  expedition,"  said  the  Scot. 

"  Well,  they  strike  me  as  a  queer  lot,  and  the 
whoile  thing  don't  seem  regular.  Here  we  are  in 
Howard's  old  pirate  barque,  being  tricked  into  sign 
ing  on.  The  old  rascal  is  in  command,  although 
he  must  be  more  than  three-quarters  of  a  hundred 
years  old.  And  here  we  sail  away  on  an  expedition 

52 


BLACK-  BARQUE 

no  one  seems  to  know  anything  about  except  the 
owners  themselves." 

"  There  ain't  any  such  thing  as  piracy  in  these 
times,  hey?"  said  Martin,  and  he  looked  at  me 
hard  with  his  bright  gray  eyes,  his  whole  broad 
face  showing  plainly  enough  that  he  was  more  than 
willing  that  there  should  be. 

"  No,  of  course  not,"  I  said.  "  How  the  deuce 
could  a  barque  like  this  turn  pirate?  She  isn't  fast 
enough,  in  the  first  place." 

"Ye  is  wrong  there.  There  ain't  anything  afloat 
that'll  go  to  windward  o'  this  craft.  Good  mon, 
just  look  how  she  travels !  Na,  na,  friend  Hey  wood, 
this  be  a  trim  ship  for  a  robber,  and  we're  uncom 
mon  well  manned.  Twenty  men  forrards,  and 
there'll  be  nigh  a  dozen  more  aft,  making  up  to 
forty  when  we  ship  the  owners.  'Tis  a  biggish 
crowd  fer  a  barque  o'  five  hundred  ton.  Now  I've 
been  a  peaceable  man  an'  mate  o'  a  dozen  ships,  — 
as  you  yoursel',  —  but  I  wouldna  gie  thruppence  fer 
me  conscience  should  th'  owld  raskil  aft  say  th' 
word.  Be  you  afeard,  friend  Heywood  ?  " 

"  Not  of  you,  Watkins,  or  Howard  himself,"  I 
answered,  "  but  it's  all  foolishness  to  think  of  dodg 
ing  men-of-war  in  these  days.  I've  sailed  in  a  man- 
o'-war  that  would  clean  the  South  Sea  of  all  float 
ing  things  in  six  months.  It's  not  that  they're  after. 
They're  up  to  some  expedition  among  the  islands. 

53 


BK.  BAR 


Maybe  the  scoundrel  has  treasure  hid,  and  these 
bloods  are  going  out  to  hunt  it.  That's  more  like 
the  lay  of  it." 

"  Maybe,  maybe,  friend  Heywood,  but  even  so  I'm 
that  keen  for  the  adventure,  I'll  not  stand  for  the 
money  they  robbed  us  of,  if  there's  a  chance  to  get 
it  back." 

"  Well,  I'll  clear  at  the  Bahamas  if  I  get  a  chance, 
unless  they  show  me  that  advance  I  missed,"  I  said, 
warmly,  "  and  I'll  make  that  old  scoundrel  sorry 
for  some  of  his  sins." 

Then  we  smoked  in  silence  until  Hawkson's  voice 
bawled  out  for  eight  bells,  and  a  rough-looking 
Dutchman  poked  his  head  below  and  bellowed  the 
news,  receiving  an  old  sea-boot  full  in  the  face  from 
Martin  for  his  pains. 

The  morning  had  passed  rapidly  enough,  and  al 
though  tired  and  sore  from  the  incidents  of  the  past 
few  hours,  I  was  not  sorry  to  go  on  deck  and  get 
a  breath  of  fresh  sea  air. 


54 


CHAPTER    VII. 

TWO    KINDS   OF    HAND  -  SHAKES 

MR.  GULL,  the  second  mate,  was  already  on  deck 
when  we  arrived,  and  I  expected  to  continue  our 
pleasantries  of  the  early  morning.  He  looked  hard 
at  us  and  said  nothing,  and  then  I  knew  Hawkson 
had  put  in  a  word  for  me,  for  no  second  mate  could 
otherwise  have  resisted  the  temptation  of  taking  it 
out  of  an  able-bodied  seaman,  no  matter  how  able- 
bodied  he  might  be.  I  was  informed  shortly  that 
I  was  made  gunner,  and  was  henceforth  in  charge 
of  the  barque's  battery  to  see  that  it  was  kept  in 
order.  But  there  was  no  more  room  aft  for  any 
more  petty  officers.  Henry  and  Watkins  occupied 
the  only  remaining  room,  on  account  of  the  space 
occupied  by  the  passengers  and  their  luggage.  Jorg, 
the  Finn,  I  found  was  the  carpenter,  but  he  also 
had  to  share  the  forecastle. 

Before  going  below,  Hawkson  summoned  all 
hands,  and  he  and  Gull  went  through  the  old  form 
of  choosing  the  watches. 

55 


€&5>THE  BLACK,  BARQUE 

"  Bos'n,"  said  Hawkson,  addressing  Richards, 
"  you  may  muster  the  men  aft." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  said  the  man-o' -war's  man,  and 
he  touched  his  cap  with  his  hand  like  in  the  old 
days  aboard  the  frigate  when  I  had  seen  him  speak 
to  the  officer  of  the  deck. 

It  was  something  of  a  surprise  to  me,  and  also 
to  the  rest,  to  find  the  man  who  had  served  under 
me  as  second  mate  as  bos'n  of  that  crowd.  It  made 
me  think  that  perhaps  I  might  dispute  the  position 
with  him,  for  I  was  a  navigator  and  capable  of 
working  the  ship's  position  to  a  fairly  accurate 
extent,  and  old  Peter  Richards  was  only  a  plain 
able  seaman.  But  I  soon  saw  why  he  had  been 
chosen.  He  was  a  trained  man  and  used  to  the 
discipline  of  a  fighting  ship,  and  there  were  plenty 
of  navigators  aft.  He  was  very  sober  and  quiet 
in  his  manner  this  day,  and  I  wondered  at  it,  for 
I  was  under  the  impression  he  had  been  fooled  into 
going  aboard  like  the  rest  of  us. 

"  How  is  it,  Peter,"  I  asked,  as  he  came  near 
me,  "are  you  going  to  give  me  my  orders?" 

"  Yes,  and  I  advise  you  to  obey  them  without 
making  trouble  for  yourself,"  said  he,  quietly. 
"  You  came  into  the  ship  with  your  eyes  wide  open. 
Now  stand  to  it.  I  told  you  I'd  follow  you  and 
take  care  of  you." 

He  said  the  last  part  of  his  speech  with  just  a 


BLACK.  BARUE 


suspicion  of  a  smile  lurking  about  the  corners  of 
his  mouth,  and  I  was  not  in  the  humour  to  be 
laughed  at. 

"  All  right,  my  cock,"  said  I,  "  if  you  are  one 
of  the  officers  and  know  the  destination  of  this 
hooker,  you  will  oblige  me  by  telling  me  her  port 
of  destination.  If  you  don't,  I  might  be  tempted 
to  argue  the  question  with  you.  You  are  not  pretty, 
Peter,  when  you  smile." 

"  Don't  think  I  would  tackle  you,  Heywood," 
said  he,  looking  sternly  at  me.  "  You've  been 
aboard  a  fighting  craft,  and  know  just  what  I'll  do 
if  you  don't  turn  to  when  I  say.  I  don't  know  any 
more  about  this  vessel  than  you  do,  except  —  well, 
except  that  I  wouldn't  have  picked  her  out  as  a 
choice  of  ships.  If  you  had  used  your  eyes  before 
you  signed  on,  you  could  have  seen  she  was  some 
thing  irregular.  Brace  up  and  do  what  you're  told 
until  you  find  out  what  you're  in  for." 

Then  he  went  along  to  get  the  rest  of  the  crew. 

The  men  who  had  temporarily  gone  below  to 
get  their  morning  meal,  and  wEo  had  remained 
below  as  the  port  watch,  were  now  lined  up  with 
those  on  deck,  and  Hawkson  began  by  choosing  a 
huge  fellow  named  Jones.  He  was  a  big,  burly,  red 
headed  Welshman.  Then  Gull  chose  Bill  in  spite 
of  his  appearance.  And  so  it  went  until  each  had 
an  equal  number  of  men  on  a  side,  Jorg  going  into 

57 


BLAC1L  BAR 


the  starboard,  and  myself  into  the  port  watch,  for  we 
were  in  the  forecastle  with  the  rest,  while  Richards 
slung  his  hammock  in  Hawkson's  room.  I  started 
on  the  forward  guns,  and  spent  the  rest  of  the  day 
polishing. 

The  weather  was  fine  and  it  was  exhilarating  to 
sit  in  the  gun-port  to  windward  and  watch  the 
old  barque  go.  The  land  had  now  entirely  disap 
peared  to  the  eastward,  and  we  were  rapidly  draw 
ing  off. 

The  barque  was  very  fast.  With  a  breeze  of 
not  more  than  twelve  knots,  she  was  running  a  full 
nine  knots,  seeming  hardly  to  disturb  the  smooth 
sea.  Her  wake  was  clean,  and  only  the  steady  pour 
ing  of  her  bow-wave  whitened  her  path. 

I  sat  for  hours  rubbing  the  muzzles  of  the  guns 
with  whale-oil  and  dust,  and,  as  I  did  so,  I  watched 
the  flaking  foam  of  the  side-wash  spread  away  with 
its  musical  hiss  and  tinkle.  Down  deep  in  the  blue 
below  a  piece  of  weed  now  and  then  flashed  past, 
looking  like  an  eel  or  snake  as  the  sunlight  wavered 
upon  it.  It  was  a  warm,  lazy  day,  and  I  pondered 
long  upon  the  strange  turn  of  fortune  that  had 
suddenly  placed  me  upon  the  old  barque  with  her 
sinister  past  and  mysterious  future.  Here  she  was 
all  fitted  out  for  a  long  voyage,  but  without  any 
cargo  to  speak  of,  and  that  little  stowed  in  such 
a  manner  that  it  was  easy  of  access. 

53 


B  E 


I  gazed  aloft  at  the  fine  rigging,  and  noted  how 
well  her  canvas  was  cut.  Every  sail  was  fitted  as 
aboard  a  man-o'-war,  and  all  her  running  gear  was 
of  new  hemp  line  of  the  finest  grade,  totally  unlike 
the  loose  laid  stuff  they  used  for  clew-lines,  bunt- 
lines,  leach-lines,  and  even  braces  aboard  the  ordi 
nary  western  ocean  merchantmen.  Hawkson  had 
the  yards  trimmed  in  a  shipshape  and  seamanlike 
manner,  and  the  grease  or  varnish  upon  them 
brought  out  the  grain  of  the  wood.  They  were 
large  for  a  vessel  of  five  hundred  ton.  High  above, 
the  mainroyal  swung  across  a  cloud-flecked  zenith, 
a  small  white  strip,  while  beneath,  in  regular  rota 
tion,  stretched  the  fgallantsail,  topsail,  and  main 
sail  into  increasing  size  until  across  the  main-yard 
the  distance  must  have  been  full  seventy  feet  or 
more. 

The  breeze  hummed  and  droned  under  the  foot 
of  the  great  mainsail,  sounding  restful  and  pleasant 
with  the  easy  roll  of  the  vessel. 

I  was  thinking  how  easy  it  would  be  to  desert  the 
ship  at  Providence  Harbour,  in  the  Bahamas,  and 
return  to  the  States.  It  was  but  a  few  days'  run 
from  there  to  Savannah,  and  plenty  of  small  vessels 
would  be  bound  over  at  this  time  of  the  year.  It 
was  degrading  to  have  to  polish  brass  like  a  common 
foremast  hand.  However,  if  I  tired  of  it,  I  was 
really  only  working  my  way  home.  That  was  the 

59 


THE  BLACK-  BARQUE 

best  way  to  look  at  it.  But  the  thought  of  home 
changed  the  half-formed  purpose.  What  was  there 
in  the  name  for  me?  Only  a  poor  old  mother 
living  in  a  bit  of  a  house,  with  a  negro  girl  I  had 
brought  from  Jamaica  some  years  before.  They 
were  dependent  entirely  upon  me  and  the  little 
money  I  had  saved  to  eke  out  an  existence,  the  girl 
doing  all  the  work  and  caring  for  the  aged  mother. 
If  I  went  back,  there  would  be  only  one  more  to 
draw  on  the  small  hoard,  and  I  might  not  get  an 
other  berth  very  soon.  Here  was  a  very  proper  ship, 
rigged  almost  like  a  man-o'-war,  and  evidently 
bound  on  some  special  mission.  Perhaps  there  was 
money  to  be  made.  At  all  events,  there  would  be 
little  lost  by  staying  in  her,  for  the  pay  in  American 
ships  was  almost  as  poor  as  the  English. 

While  I  thought  over  these  matters,  I  watched 
the  two  passengers,  who  were  lounging  aft  on  the 
quarter,  smoking  long  clay  pipes  and  drinking  ale 
from  a  tankard  filled  from  a  keg  in  the  lazarette. 
They  certainly  appeared  well-to-do  people,  and,  if 
they  were  part-owners,  there  was  little  doubt  from 
their  manners  that  they  were  used  to  living  as  gen 
tlemen  of  wealth  and  position. 

Bill  came  down  from  aloft  along  the  weather 
main-rigging  above  me,  where  he  had  been  fasten 
ing  chafing-gear  on  the  backstays  at  the  point  the 
topsail-yard  would  touch.  He  saw  me  gazing  aft 

60 


while  I  rubbed,  and  he  dropped  somewhat  osten 
tatiously  upon  the  deck  to  attract  my  attention. 

"Welcome,  hey?"  he  said. 

"  Of  course,"  I  answered,  holding  out  a  greasy 
hand.  "Why  not?" 

"  Well,  I've  no  grudge,  John/'  said  he.  "  You 
licked  me  fair  enough." 

"You  haven't  come  for  another  one?"  I  asked, 
smiling. 

"  No,"  he  said,  grasping  my  fingers  in  a  tarry 
grip,  "  no,  I  believe  you're  all  right.  I  youst  wanted 
to  ask  what  you  t'ought  of  the  passengers.  They 
say  they're  part-owners.  Now,  I've  been  in  Ameri 
can  ships  ten  years  and  more,  an'  I  never  t'ought 
to  go  in  a  wessel  not  knowin'  youst  where  she's 
bound,  did  you  ?  " 

"  How  did  you  come  to  ship  in  her?  "  I  asked. 

"  Oh,  I  signed  all  right.  I  youst  saw  she  was  a 
fine  wessel  an'  the  pay  good,  —  more'n  a  mate  of 
an  old  country  wessel,  —  so  I  t'ought  it  all  right. 
Only  I'd  youst  like  to  find  out,  friend  John,  where 
she's  bound  for,  —  I  mean  what  port." 

"The  first  is  Nassau,  but  we're  signed  for  some 
place  in  the  South  Atlantic  or  Pacific,  and  unless 
you're  going  to  cut  and  run,  or  make  a  pier-head 
jump,  you'll  land  in  some  of  the  South  Sea  Islands 
for  certain,"  said  I.  "  Who  got  you  to  come 
aboard?" 

61 


BLACIL  BAKQUE  <*&» 

"  A  little  fellow  youst  like  a  fox,  —  Henry  they 
called  him;  he  hasn't  been  on  deck  yet  much.  I 
fought  he'd  be  a  bit  backward  turnin'  out  —  There 
he  is  now,  comin'  out  on  the  main-deck.  If  you 
soak  him1  one,  I'll  stand  by,  for  it  would  youst  serve 
him  right,  or  if  you  youst  stand  by,  I'll  attend  to 
it,  hey?" 

"  No  use,  Bill,"  I  answered ;  "  there'll  be  enough 
of  real  sure  fracases  before  we're  on  the  beach 
again.  Let  him  alone.  It  will  only  make  trouble 
aft,  and  then  the  whole  after-guard  will  be  for 
putting  us  through.  I'll  look  out  he  don't  put  his 
face  in  the  forecastle,  but  he's  third  mate,  and  he 
belongs  aft.  These  vessels  are  not  like  American 
ships.  A  fellow  don't  take  rating  by  his  hands, 
and  if  you  whollop  an  officer  it  only  means  trouble. 
I  like  your  style,  Bill,  and,  if  there's  trouble,  I'll  stick 
close  to  yooi;  but  there  won't  be  any  unless  you 
make  it." 

Bill  held  out  his  big  fist  again  and  squeezed  mine. 
There  was  an  honest  look  in  his  blue  eyes  I  liked, 
albeit  they  were  pretty  well  draped  in  black  from 
the  discipline  of  the  early  morning.  We  were 
friends  from  that  moment,  and  I  never  had  cause 
to  regret  that  hand-shake. 

Henry  saw  us  looking  at  him1  and  came  forward. 
He  was  afraid  of  nothing  on  a  ship's  deck,  and, 
if  he  were  a  tricky  little  sea-wolf,  he  was  as  grim 

62 


as  any  in  the  forests  of  the  New  England  shores. 
He  swung-  up  his  hand  to  his  cap  as  he  reached 
me,  but  took  no  notice  of  Bill.  I  kept  on  rubbing 
the  breech  of  the  gun  and  took  no  notice,  for  I  was 
still  a  trifle  sore  at  the  way  he  had  treated  me. 

"  Mister  Heywood,  I  saluted  you,  sir,"  said 
Henry,  stopping. 

"  So  you  did,"  I  answered,  "  arid  it  does  great 
credit  to  that  mother  of  yours  that  your  manners 
are  proper.  I  always  return  the  salute  of  an  honest 
man,  though  it's  hardly  necessary  aboard  ship,  es 
pecially  merchant  vessels." 

"  Now,  see  here,  Heywood,  what's  the  use  of 
keeping  up  a  grudge?  I  got  you  into  a  good  ship, 
didn't  I?  And,  if  you  ain't  mate,  you're  gunner." 

"  If  I  had  a  grudge,  I  would  wring  your  neck, 
Henry,"  I  answered,  calmly. 

"  No  fear,  Hi  say,"  he  answered,  smiling,  and 
held  out  his  hand.  "  Put  'er  there  and  we'll  call  it 
even,  hey  ?  " 

I  held  out  my  hand,  for  there  was  really  little 
use  keeping  up  a  bad  feeling  aboard.  I  might  as 
well  see  the  joke  and  bear  a  hand  with  the  rest.  I 
held  out  a  greasy  paw  to  signify  all  was  well. 

The  next  instant  his  long  fingers,  which  I  had  at 
first  noticed  on  the  pier,  closed  upon  mine  like  a 
steel  vice,  and  I  involuntarily  cried  out  with  the 


pain.  Such  a  grip!  There  was  nothing  human 
about  it,  and  I  felt  my  bones  cracking. 

"Let  go!  "  I  roared,  and  Bill  sprang  upon  him 
at  the  same  instant. 

But  Henry  grabbed  his  arm  before  he  could 
strike,  and  there  we  stood  like  two  boys  for  an 
instant,  unable  to  move,  with  the  keen-faced  rascal 
between  us.  Before  either  could  strike  with  the 
disengaged  hand,  Henry  cast  us  loose  with  a  laugh. 

"  Don't  you  try  it,"  he  grinned,  as  he  passed 
forward. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


OUR  BOS'N 


THE  bos'n  of  an  English  ship  usually  has  eight 
hours  or  more  below,  and  the  best  part  of  four 
watches  on  deck.  This  enables  him  to  walk  around 
after  the  men  and  take  charge  during  the  time  they 
are  at  work  and  the  navigator  is  unable  to  leave 
the  poop  or  quarter-deck.  Yankee  bos'ns,  or  fourth 
mates,  as  we  used  to  call  them,  were  distinguished  by 
a  rough,  strong  voice  made  raucous  by  hard  usage. 
Yelling  and  swearing  at  delinquent  mariners,  as 
the  shore  folk  put  it,  was  supposed  to  be  their  prin 
cipal  occupation,  and  to  a  certain  extent  the  shore 
folk  were  right.  But  Richards  was  not  noisy. 
Neither  did  he  have  the  rough  voice  of  the  man- 
o'-war  bos'n.  He  was  as  gentle  as  any  shore-bred 
person,  and  even  while  he  had  served  as  second 
mate  under  me,  he  had  never  been  anything  but 
"  Old  "  Richards,  —  old  because  he  was  so  quiet. 

When  he  took  in  hand  the  crew  of  that  ship, 
it  made  me  smile  to  think  of  him  tackling  men  like 

65 


BL 


Bill,  Jones,  or  myself.  Yet  there  he  was  over  us, 
and  it  soon  began  to  look  like  Hawkson  knew  what 
he  was  about  when  he  put  him  in  charge. 

In  the  first  place  he  had  been  used  to  discipline. 
He  had  served  on  a  war-ship  for  so  long  that  he 
seemed  to  know  just  what  to  do  to  get  men  to 
work  without  getting  afoul  of  them. 

There  is  an  art  in  this.  It  is  born  in  some,  cul 
tivated  in  others,  but  absolutely  impossible  to  de 
fine  in  a  way  that  might  be  useful  to  the  great 
majority,  for  it  is  a  mixture  o-f  so  many  qualities, 
so  many  different  freaks  and  phases  of  tempera 
ment,  and  generally  so  dependent  upon  chance  for 
its  establishment,  that  it  must  be  dealt  with  only 
as  a  peculiarity  happening  in  human  beings  at  re 
mote  intervals. 

Richards  had  the  one  necessary  quality  to  begin 
with,  and  that  was  a  really  kind  disposition  under 
his  silent  exterior.  There  was  nothing  offensive  in 
him,  and,  while  he  never  seemed  to  attract  any 
one,  he  did  not  repel  them.  Magnetism  he  pos 
sessed  in  abundance,  but  this  quality  is  of  small  use 
among  men  who  have  to  be  made  to  do  things 
which  often  result  in  death  and  always  in  discom 
fort. 

Often  he  would  sit  and  listen  to  the  arguments 
of  the  men,  and  they  would  sometimes  appeal  to 


66 


BLACK-  BARQUE 


him  as  judge,  because  he  was  so  quiet  and  always 
gave  them  an  answer  they  could  understand. 

"  What  makes  ye  sa  keen  fer  carry  in'  on  dis 
cipline,  friend  Richards?"  asked  Martin,  good- 
humouredly,  one  evening  as  the  watch  sat  or  lounged 
about  the  forecastle  scuttle  waiting  to  be  called. 

"  It's  not  your  country's  ship;  why  d'ye  care? 
Now  a  war-ship  an'  a  patriot  I  kin  understand.  I 
was  a  patriot  mysel'." 

"  I  fou't  for  England,"  said  big  Jones,  "  but  that 
ware  different." 

"  You'd  have  fought  for  China  just  as  quick," 
said  the  bos'n,  "  if  any  men  you  knew  were  going 
out  to  fight.  It's  the  same  aboard  a  fighting  craft 
as  it  is  here.  I've  seen  clerks  in  the  shipping-houses, 
that  couldn't  tell  a  cutlass  from  a  pike,  go  crazy 
to  fight  when  the  war  broke  out.  They  liked  to 
be  called  '  patriots/  too.  All  men  like  to  fight  if 
the  whole  crowd  go  in.  It's  excitement  and  vanity. 
You'll  be  more  of  a  patriot  and  less  a  fighting  man 
after  you  get  ashore  to  stay." 

"  Ay,  that  he  will,"  said  Tim,  the  American. 
"  He's  too  ready  for  fight,  an'  a  bit  o'  discipline 
will  do  him  good." 

"  Ah,  hark  ye  at  the  bit  o'  a  man,"  sneered  Mar 
tin.  "  One  might  think  he  feared  a  little  fracas, 
hey?  "  and  he  leered  at  the  small  sailor,  who  looked 


him  squarely  in  the  eyes  and  swore  at  him,  for  a 
bullying  Scot  he  was. 

Somehow,  Richards  never  made  trouble  between 
men.  They  rarely  took  offence  at  his  answers,  and 
he  never  struck  one. 

To  him  the  striking  of  a  man  lowered  him  at 
once.  If  the  man  was  an  equal  and  had  any  self- 
respect,  it  was  necessary  to  go  further  into  the  mat 
ter  always,  he  explained.  If  he  had  not  enough 
self-respect  to  fight  his  smiter  to  the  last  limit,  then 
he  was  taking  whatever  chance  the  fellow  had  of 
ever  becoming  a  man,  for  no  man,  he  held,  could 
be  a  person  of  spirit  and  courage  and  allow  another 
to  strike  him.  It  might  work  well  in  religious  con 
gregations,  where  men  were  tricky  and  desperately 
low  and  mean,  stooping  to  any  vile  revenge,  but 
among  men  at  sea  upon  a  ship  deck  it  was  dif 
ferent.  To  assault  a  man  weaker  than  himself  was 
almost  as  bad  in  his  eyes  as  assaulting  a  girl.  In 
either  case,  the  victim's  self-respect  was  lost,  and 
the  person  consequently  liable  to  be  ruined.  It  would 
require  a  nice  adjustment,  he  claimed,  to  prevent 
murder.  He  very  plainly  stated  that,  if  Martin, 
Jones,  or  any  one  of  the  heavy  fellows  who  might 
be  tempted  to  try  accounts  with  him  at  some  dis 
liked  order,  should  so  far  forget  the  discipline  of 
the  ship  and  make  a  fight  with  him,  he  would  be 
bound  by  all  law  and  precedent,  as  upon  a  man- 

68 


E 


of-war,  to  kill  him.  The  turning  of  the  smitten 
cheek  to  the  offender  was  not  to  be  taken  literally. 
It  meant  a  man  should  show  due  forbearance  before 
entering  into  a  fracas,  which  would  certainly  end 
fatally  for  one  or  the  other. 

This  doctrine  might  not  appeal  to  the  landsman, 
and  from  a  certain  point  of  view  it  might  appear 
unchristian.  But,  if  there  was  ever  a  man  who 
practised  kindness  toward  his  fellow  men,  that  man 
was  the  bos'n  of  the  old  pirate  barque.  He  was 
honest. 

I  had  found  that  on  former  cruises  to  heathen 
islands  and  countries,  the  heathen  were  usually  all 
right  until  some  of  the  professed  Christians  appeared 
to  convert  them.  Afterward  the  histories  of  these 
places  were  of  a  somewhat  sinister  character,  and, 
if  ever  there  was  an  exception  to  prove  the  rule, 
I  had  never  heard  tell  of  it.  Every  so-called  Chris 
tian  country  had  allowed  and  advanced  all  kinds 
of  oppression  among  natives.  Whether  this  was 
for  their  spiritual  welfare  or  not,  it  is  not  necessary 
to  inquire,  the  fact  was  always  the  same.  There 
fore,  I  was  interested  in  our  future  course,  but, 
from  the  steady  discipline  and  forbearance  of  the 
officers,  expected  to  see  very  little  of  the  usual  kind 
of  conversion.  Every  ship  full  of  canting  religion 
ists  came  home  full  of  black  murder  and  worse. 
There  was  much  more  to  be  expected  from  a  vessel 

69 


BL  ACK.  BARQUE 


whose  after-guard  stood  for  easy  ship  in  regard 
to  these  matters. 

Sometimes,  in  the  evening  dog-watches,  Richards 
would  even  take  the  liberty  of  coming  into  the  fore 
castle  and  joining  in  the  talk,  or  sitting  upon  the 
forecastle  head  in  the  warm  wind  and  listening  to  a 
chanty  roared  out  by  Martin  or  some  one  who  had 
served  in  the  Eastern  trade-ships.  One  of  the  fa 
vourite  songs,  made  up  from  different  snatches  heard 
either  upon  the  men-of-war  or  along  the  dock-ends 
of  Liverpool,  ran  something  like  this: 

"  We  had  come  to  anchor  fine,  sir, 
In  a  vessel  o'  the  line,  sir, 
We  had  cruised  for  five  years  steady 
Upon  the  Southern  Seas  — 
When  a  boat  from  off  the  shore,  sir, 
Brought  a  lady  out  aboard,  sir, 
She  was  black  as  soot  an'  mud,  sir, 
An'  she  smelled  o'  oil  an'  grease  —  " 

Then  all  hands  would  roar  out  with  will  the  re 
frain,  pointing  to  the  bos'n: 

"  Then  up  jumped  the  bos'n,  up  jumped  the  crew, 
The  first  mate,  second  mate,  the  cook  and  steward  too  — 
But  the  captain  swore  he'd  have  her, 
An'  the  mate  'e  tried  to  grab  her, 
She  couldn't  have  'em  all,  sir  — 
What  could  the  lady  do?" 

Sometimes  the  gentlemen  from  aft  would  come 
forward  and  lend  a  hand  with  some  new  version 

70 


&ia=THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

of  an  old  song,  but  more  often  they  were  content 
to  listen  from  the  sacred  precincts  of  the  quarter 
deck. 

Old  Howard  never  interfered  with  hilarity,  but 
rather  encouraged  .it.  I  wondered  at  this,  but  re 
membered  the  cruise  had  only  just  begun.  I  had 
seen  captains  encourage  men  before.  Sometimes 
it  held  a  more  sinister  meaning  than  simple  delight 
at  their  pleasure. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

I    MAKE    ANOTHER    FRIEND 

DURING  the  next  week's  run  we  made  a  deal  of 
westing,  passing  to  the  southward  of  the  Azores 
and  getting  well  into  the  western  ocean.  The  north 
east  trade  was  picked  up,  and,  as  it  was  well  to  the 
eastward,  it  enabled  us  to  carry  on  stun'sails  fore 
and  aft. 

We  were  better  acquainted  in  the  fo'castle  now, 
and  I  had  learned  to  like  several  men  of  my  watch. 
Bill  was  a  warm  friend.  Martin  proved  a  very 
entertaining  fellow,  but  was  absolutely  without  prin 
ciple.  Anderson  was  quiet  and  attended  to  his 
duties  like  the  average  Swede,  being  a  good  sailor 
and  an  excellent  hand  for  sewing  canvas  and  mak 
ing  chafing-gear.  He  went  by  the  name  of  Goldy 
in  the  forecastle  on  account  of  the  colour  of  his 
hair,  which  was  bushy  and  covered  his  face. 

In  the  other  watch  was  Jones,  the  giant  Welsh 
man,  who  was  one  of  the  best  men  that  ever  stood 

72 


B 


upon  a  ship's  deck.  He  was  as  strong  as  a  whale 
and  as  kind-hearted  as  a  girl. 

But  the  little  fellow  called  Tim,  who  was  in  my 
watch,  was  the  man  I  chummed  with.  He  was  not 
much  to  look  at,  being  small,  ugly,  red-headed,  and 
freckled.  He  was  an  American,  however,  and  there 
was  that  something  about  him  that  drew  me  to  him 
as  the  magnet  draws  iron.  He  had  been  pressed 
into  the  British  navy  before  the  war,  and  had  served 
his  time.  When  the  fighting  was  over  and  he  re 
ceived  his  discharge,  he  shipped  in  an  East-India- 
man,  and  made  two  voyages  around  the  world. 
Why  he  never  returned  to  his  home  in  the  States 
was  the  cause  of  some  speculation  on  my  part,  but, 
as  he  never  mentioned  his  people,  I  refrained  from 
trespassing.  It  is  bad  form  for  a  sailor  to  inquire 
too  closely  into  his  shipmate's  past. 

Tim  was  so  insignificant  looking  among  those 
picked  men  that  I  took  little  or  no  notice  of  him 
until  one  night  when  it  was  blowing  a  stiff  gale 
and  the  barque  was  staggering  along  under  topsails 
through  an  ugly  cross-sea  that  made  her  old  timbers 
groan  with  the  wrench. 

I  had  occasion  to  go  to  the  forecastle  head,  and, 
while  I  stood  there,  leaning  over  the  life-line  which 
did  duty  for  a  rail,  I  became  absorbed  for  a  few 
minutes  watching  the  fine  phosphorescent  display 
in  the  bow  wave.  The  night  was  very  dark,  and 

73 


€&S»THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

the  deep,  booming  note  of  the  taut  fabric  above 
and  the  rushing  sound  below  drowned  all  minor 
noises. 

Suddenly  I  heard  my  name  called  loudly,  and 
something  soft  struck  me  in  the  back.  I  turned 
and  saw  no  one,  but,  while  I  searched  the  darkness 
with  my  eyes,  the  door  of  the  forward  cabin  opened, 
and  I  saw  for  an  instant  the  tall,  erect  form  of  Wat- 
kins,  the  steward,  against  the  light  inside.  I  con 
tinued  to  look  over  the  side  until  a  hand  was  laid 
upon  my  shoulder,  and  the  little  man  Tim,  who  was 
really  hardly  more  than  a  boy,  slewed  me  around 
none  too  gently. 

"  Tain't  healthy,"  said  he,  "  to  be  near  the  side 
o'  nights  in  a  ship  where  things  is  queer.  You 
came  nearer  your  end  a  minute  ago  than  you  ever 
will  again  but  once,"  and  he  nodded  aft. 

"The  steward?"  I  asked. 

He  nodded  again,  and  looked  so  serious  that  my 
first  inclination  to  laugh  died  away  at  once.  "  He 
was  within  two  fathoms  of  you  when  I  hailed,  and 
his  knife  was  as  long  as  that,"  and  he  stuck  forth 
his  arm  with  his  left  hand  placed  midway  to  the 
shoulder. 

"  So  that's  his  game,  is  it?  "  I  said.  "  I'll  keep 
an  eye  on  him  hereafter.  The  whole  outfit  aft  have 
something  queer  about  them.  I'm  obliged  to  you 


74 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


for  the  warning.  What  was  it  that  struck  me  in 
the  back?" 

"  Pair  o  'my  rolled-up  socks,  —  the  only  ones 
I've  got,  too,  —  an'  if  they're  gone  overboard,  I'll 
have  to  go  barefooted,  for  I  can't  abide  shoes  with 
out  socks.  Them  ratlines  do  cut  the  bare  feet  of  a 
feller  most  uncommon  though,  an'  I'll  have  a  job 
aloft  in  the  morning  sending  down  them  t'gallant- 
stun'sail-booms." 

He  searched  about  the  forecastle  deck  for  some 
minutes  in  the  darkness,  but  failed  to  find  them: 
The  night  being  warm,  we  remained  on  deck,  as 
the  stiff  wind  was  invigorating  and  the  forecastle 
somewhat  close.  Finally  we  sat  upon  the  weather 
side  of  the  windlass  and  leaned  against  it.  There 
was  a  man  on  lookout  forward,  but  we  were  pretty 
well  out  of  the  track  of  ships,  and  the  only  person 
liable  to  disturb  us  was  the  third  mate,  who  might 
come  forward  to  trim  head-sail.  The  starboard 
watch  were  grouped  upon  the  main-hatch,  lounging 
and  resting,  and  Hawkson  walked  fore  and  aft  on 
the  poop,  his  tall  form  showing  dimly  now  and 
then  as  he  passed  the  cabin  skylights  where  the 
light  from  within  flared  up.  We  snuggled  down 
comfortably  to  sleep,  but  the  snore  of  the  gale 
through  the  rigging  and  under  the  forestaysail  kept 
us  wakeful.  I  watched  Tim  alongside  of  me,  and 
saw  he  was  still  chewing  his  tobacco. 

75 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


"  How  did  you  come  to  get  into  the  hooker  with 
out  clothes  ?  "  I  asked,  thinking  he  was  tricked  like 
myself. 

"  Signed  all  right.  There's  money  in  her,  if 
what  I  believe  is  correct.  She'll  pay  a  feller  like 
me.  I've  got  no  ties  ashore.  But  they're  a  tough 
crowd.  That  feller,  Sir  John  Hicks,  —  you've 
heard  of  him,  hey  ?  " 

"  Never  did.     What's  he  done?"  I  asked. 

"  He  ain't  done  nothin'  in  particular,  but  he's  the 
wildest  of  the  family.  Got  plenty  o'  money,  an' 
that  Lord  George  Renshaw,  the  old  un,  —  well,  say, 
Heywood,  you've  heard  how  he  got  chased  out  o' 
London?" 

I  had  heard  nothing,  being  an  American. 

"  I  forgot,"  he  went  on.  "  You  see,  I'm  mighty 
nigh  an  Englishman,"  and  he  spoke  sadly  and 
sighed,  heaving  his  tobacco  away. 

"  Why  do  you  stick  to  English  ships  after  they 
stuck  you  for  three  years?  I  should  think  you'd 
drop  them  by  this  time,"  I  said. 

He  turned  upon  me  savagely,  his  eyes  shining 
and  his  face  drawn. 

"  Why  do  I  ?  "  he  cried,  hoarsely,  his  voice  sound 
ing  above  the  snore  overhead.  "  Why  do  I  ?  What 
business  is  it  of  yours  why  I  do  it?  Why  would 
any  man  do  the  thing  I've  done  —  but  to  forget 
"  —  not  the  British  Navy,  good  God,  no.  It  was 

76 


.   ARQUE 


bad  enough,  but  you  can  forget  it  easy  enough,  and 
to  forget  —  " 

"  A  woman  ?  "  I  asked,  boldly. 

"What  else,"  he  said,  almost  softly.  "I  was 
a  decqpt  man  once,  Heywood,  and  not  an  outlaw 
—  what  you  will  be:  if  you  stay  aboard  here.  Yes, 
I  was  married.  Had  as  good  girl  as  ever  breathed. 
But  I  was  poor.  What  crime  can  a  feller  commit 
equal  to  poverty,  hey?  You  know  the  old,  old 
yarn.  I  go  to  sea  as  mate  of  an  Indiaman,  and 
the  owner  saw  the  beauty  of  that  angel.  Do  I 
blame  her  ?  Not  a  bit.  What  chance  would  a  poor 
girl  left  alone  for  a  few  months  have  with  a  rich 
young  feller  like  him,  —  an'  him  a  rich  ship-owner 
standin'  for  everything  that's  good  to  the  mind  of 
a  poor  girl.  She  was  lost  if  he  went  unchecked, 
an'  who  would  check  the  honourable  gentleman? 
Not  her  friends.  Oh,  no!  He  took  her  out  on  a 
voyage  with  him  —  an'  left  her  without  a  cent  — 
an'  now  I'll  forget." 

"What's  against  the  ship?"  I  asked. 

He  seemed  not  to  hear  and  was  gazing  aft,  his 
head  thrown  back  against  the  windlass  barrel.  I 
repeated  the  question. 

"  Nothing  I  know  of.  But  you  can  rest  easy, 
Heywood,  they  are  up  to  some  expedition  that  won't 
bear  the  light.  If  you  take  a  fool's  advice,  you'll 
make  the  jump  at  Nassau." 

77 


BLAC1L  BARE 


"Are  you  going  there?"  I  asked. 

"  I  don't  say.  Mebbe  I  will,  an'  mebbe  no.  But 
you  better." 

"I'm  glad  you  take  such  an  interest  in  my  fu 
ture,"  I  said,  rather  shortly. 

He  turned  full  upon  me,  and  I  saw  his  eyes  shine 
in  the  light.  "  Look  here,  Heywood,  I  don't  de 
serve  that,  You've  got  a  bad  memory.  I  may  have 
been  a  fool  to  let  off  about  myself.  I  reckon  I  was, 
but  I've  liked  you,  and  there's  not  a  damn  thing 
aboard  here  I  ever  could  like  except  you.  I  say 
again,  it'll  be  best  for  you  if  you  jump  her  at  Nas 
sau." 

"  Well,"  I  said,  "  Tim,  I'm  pretty  mean  to  say 
you  no  after  saving  me  from  that  Watkins's  carver, 
though  I  reckon  I  could  take  care  of  the  old  duffer 
even  if  he  had  forty  knives.  I  didn't  mean  to  rough 
you,  for  it's  with  you  whether  I  go  or  not.  I'd  stay 
aboard  to  be  with  you,  and  that's  saying  a  bit  more 
than  I've  said  to  any  man  for  some  time." 

He  gazed  steadily  at  me,  and  I  thought  his  eyes 
had  a  wistful  look.  Then  he  spoke  low  in  a  voice 
I  could  hardly  hear. 

"  I'm  glad  you  like  me,  Heywood.  Maybe  we'll 
go  together.  Yes,  we  might  go  together.  Afterward 
—  afterward  —  you  won't  mind  a  feller  being,  so 
to  say,  a  bit  outside  the  law.  There'll  be  a  line 
for  my  neck,  you  know,  if  —  well,  no  matter.  If 

78 


BLAC1L  BARQUE  A&fe 

you  stay  in  the  ship,  there'll  be  one  for  all  hands, 
if  there's  any  faith  to  be  placed  in  signs." 

Then  we  remained  silent  for  a  long  time.  I 
thought  of  Watkins  and  his  dastardly  attempt  upon 
me,  and  wondered  if  Tim  was  not  a  bit  off  in  his 
mind.  But  when  I  remembered  the  lost  socks,  I 
knew  he  was  not  mistaken,  for  a  sailor  would  hesi 
tate  a  long  time  before  throwing  his  last  pair  away. 
The  danger  must  have  been  imminent.  It  was  a 
queer  ship.  That  was  certain.  Half  her  crew  had 
been  shipped  by  fraud,  and  her  alleged  owners  were 
not  above  reproach.  As  to  her  captain,  there  was 
nothing  he  was  not  capable  of,  provided  it  was 
wrong,  in  spite  of  his  years  and  mask-like  face, 
withered  and  bare  as  a  sun-scorched  lemon.  We 
must  have  been  asleep  when  the  watch  was  called, 
for  I  remember  nothing  of  the  bells,  and  suddenly 
found  myself  looking  into  the  rising  sun,  which 
shone  with  unusual  vigour  over  a  windy  sea. 

Tim  was  just  in  the  act  of  going  below  as  I 
looked  at  the  forecastle  scuttle.  His  face  seemed 
pale  and  drawn,  but  he  smiled  as  he  dived  down 
the  companion-way. 

"  You  can  get  those  gun-covers  laced  fast  before 
we  start  washing  down  decks,"  said  Mr.  Gull,  com 
ing  to  the  edge  of  the  forecastle,  and  I  was  soon 
on  the  main-deck  with  my  trousers  up  to  my  knees, 
enjoying  the  rushing  warm  sea  water  the  watch 

79 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


were  flinging  along  the  gangway,  following  it  aft 
with  squeegee  and  swab  until  the  planks  were  spot 
less. 

How  refreshing  is  that  breeze  of  the  early  day 
at  sea!  The  lines,  all  damp  with  the  salt  dew  of 
the  night,  hum  a  note  of  gladness  to  welcome  the 
rising  disc  of  light.  The  brisk  sea  wind  freshens, 
wrinkling  the  broad  ridges  rushing  before  it,  and 
brushing  their  white  crests  into  a  wide  spread  of 
glittering  jewels  that  flash,  sparkle,  and  hiss  in  the 
growing  light.  The  air  braces  the  tired  body,  and 
the  appetite  grows  keen.  The  men  of  the  morning 
watch  take  on  new  life,  and  all  eyes  begin  to  cast 
looks  at  the  galley  stovepipe,  watching  for  the  in 
creasing  volume  of  smoke  outpouring  that  tells  of 
the  preparation  of  the  morning  meal. 


80 


CHAPTER   X. 

YANKEE  DAN   AND    HIS   DAUGHTER 

FOR  the  next  three  weeks  we  ran  smoothly  to 
the  westward,  with  nothing  occurring  aboard  The 
Gentle  Hand  to  break  the  monotony  of  ship's  duty. 
The  stiff  breeze,  the  edge  of  the  northeast  trade- 
wind,  bore  us  steadily  on  over  warm  seas  bright 
with  sunlight  and  under  blue  skies  flecked  with  the 
lumpy  trade  clouds  that  hung  apparently  motionless 
in  the  void  above. 

During  this  weather  I  had  little  to  do,  and  had 
a  better  chance  of  seeing  something  of  the  after 
guard  while  looking  to  the  gear  of  the  two  long 
twelves  we  carried  upon  the  quarter-deck  for  stern- 
chasers.  We  carried  no  metal  on  the  forecastle, 
and  it  appeared  that  these  heavy  guns  aft  were  out 
of  all  proportion  to  the  rest  of  the  battery. 

I  spoke  to  Hawkson  about  it,  but  he  explained 
that  the  natives  of  the  Navigator,  Society,  and  Fiji 
groups  were  somewhat  dangerous,  and  that,  as  our 

81 


mission  was  one  of  peaceful  trading,  we  would 
always  run  when  attacked  rather  than  fight,  and 
the  heavy  twelves  were  for  keeping  large  canoes 
at  a  distance. 

"  It  would  be  a  rather  large  canoe/'  I  admitted, 
"  that  would  face  the  fire  of  a  long  twelve-pounder 
as  heavy  as  any  used  in  vessels  of  the  frigate  class. 
The  islands  you  speak  of  are  not,  however,  in  the 
South  Atlantic." 

'  You  always  were  a  clever  lad,  Heywood,"  said 
he,  with  an  ugly  smile.  "  What  a  smart  one  you 
were  to  see  the  error  of  that!  But  we'll  have  a 
try  just  to  see  what  you  can  hit.  Get  a  beef  barrel 
and  heave  it  overboard,  an'  get  the  men  of  the 
gun-crew  aft." 

After  that  we  seldom  let  many  days  slip  with 
out  practice.  Tim  begged  me  to  take  him  in  the 
gun-crew,  and,  as  he  was  as  active  as  a  monkey, 
I  always  let  him  have  a  chance.  He  grew  very 
quiet  and  sad  as  we  drew  near  the  Bahamas,  and 
when  we  ran  clear  of  the  trade,  within  a  hundred 
miles  of  the  island,  he  seemed  to  be  gazing  over 
the  sunlit  ocean,  watching  for  a  coming  breeze. 

Sometimes  I  had  him  aft,  polishing  the  brass 
of  a  gun-breech,  and  I  noticed  that  he  divided  his 
attention  mostly  between  the  captain,  Hicks,  and 
Renshaw,  and  the  southern  horizon. 

The  great  southern  ocean  is  a  lonely  place,  but 
82 


its  very  loneliness  and  quietness  on  the  edge  of  the 
great  winds  makes  it  appeal  to  a  turbulent  soul. 

Tim  and  I  sat  a  long  time  on  the  breech  of  the 
stern-chaser,  rubbing  the  metal  easily  and  gazing 
out  over  the  calm  ocean.  It  was  quiet  aboard,  and 
the  voices  of  the  men  on  the  main-deck  sounded 
loud  and  discordant.  The  slatting  of  the  canvas 
was  the  only  sound  aloft,  the  royals  jerking  at  the 
clews  first  as  the  barque  swung  easily  on  the  swell, 
and  then  the  t'gallantsails  followed  by  the  topsails 
fore  and  aft,  the  taut  canvas  fanning  the  almost 
still  air  with  the  rolling  swing,  making  the  jerk 
ing  of  the  tacks  and  clews  sound  rhythmically  upon 
the  ear.  Below,  the  captain  and  his  two  passen 
gers  smoked  and  drank  their  ale  under  the  cabin 
skylight,  their  jokes  sounding  particularly  coarse  in 
the  sunlit  quiet. 

Tim  suddenly  stopped  work  and  gazed  to  the 
southward.  Far  away,  miles  and  miles  to  windward, 
the  horizon  darkened  slightly  where  the  deeper  blue 
of  the  ocean  stood  out  against  the  pale  azure  of  the 
semitropical  sky. 

While  he  looked,  there  came  a  sound  over  the 
water.  It  was  a  long,  plaintive  cry  of  immense 
volume,  but  hardly  distinct  enough  to  be  heard  un 
less  the  listener  gave  his  attention.  It  was  like  a 
wild  minor  chord  of  a  harp,  long  continued  and 
sustained,  rising  and  falling  over  the  dark  blue 

33 


B 


heave  of  the  swells  where  the  light  air  darkened  and 
streaked  the  ruffled  surface.  Farther  away  to  wind 
ward,  the  ocean  took  on  a  deeper  blue,  and  the  air 
filled  the  sails  more  steadily  for  a  few  minutes. 

Tim  stood  gazing  into  the  distance,  his  eyes 
bright  and  his  lips  parted,  but  there  was  an  expres 
sion  of  peace  and  tranquillity  upon  his  freckled  face 
that  I  had  never  noticed  before. 

"  It's  the  calling,  Heywood,  Heywood,"  he  whis 
pered.  "  It'-s  the  great  calling  of  the  millions  who 
have  gone  before.  Listen  !  " 

I  heard  it.  The  sad,  wailing  notes  coming  from 
miles  and  miles  away  to  windward  over  that  smooth 
sea,  with  the  freshening  breeze,  made  an  impres 
sion  upon  me  I  could  not  throw  off.  It  vibrated 
through  my  whole  being,  and  was  like  the  voice 
of  great  loneliness  calling  from  the  vast  world  of 
sea  and  sky.  It  was  not  like  the  hum  of  the  trade 
in  the  rigging  or  the  snore  of  a  gale  under  the 
foot  of  a  topsail,  nor  like  the  thunderous  roar  of 
the  hurricane  through  the  rigging  of  a  hove-to  ship. 
The  melancholy  sadness  of  the  long-sustained  wail 
was  musical  to  a  degree.  I  sat  there  listening. 

Of  course,  it  must  have  been  caused  by  the  wind 
over  the  surface  of  the  sea  at  a  great  distance,  or 
by  different  currents  of  air  in  passing,  but  the  effect 
upon  the  imagination  was  like  that  which  might 
be  caused  by  the  prolonged  cry  of  a  distant  host 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


from  the  vastness  of  sunlit  waste.  It  pervaded  my 
whole  being,  and  enforced  listening  to  its  call,  seem 
ing  to  draw  my  soul  to  it  as  if  out  in  that  sparkling 
world  of  rippling  wavelets  lay  the  end  of  all  strife 
and  the  great  eternal  peace. 

Tim  stretched  forth  his  arm.  His  eyes  held  a 
strange  look  in  them,  and  he  moved  to  the  rail  as 
though  in  a  dream. 

"  I  am  coming,  May,  coming,"  he  whispered. 

Before  I  realized  what  had  happened,  he  had 
gone  over  the  side.  Then  I  jumped  to  my  feet  with 
a  yell,  and  bawled  out  :  "  Man  overboard  !  "  at  the 
same  time  heaving  the  end  of  a  gun-tackle  over 
the  tafrrail.  The  cry  and  noise  of  my  rush  brought 
the  entire  watch  to  the  side,  and  the  captain  and 
Hawkson  to  the  quarter-rail.  The  barque  was 
barely  moving,  and  Tim  was  alongside.  But  he 
refused  to  take  the  end  of  the  line.  There  was  an 
exclamation  beside  me  at  the  taffrail,  and  Renshaw 
leaned  his  elbows  upon  the  rail  and  looked  over  at 
the  sinking  sailor.  Their  eyes  met  for  an  instant, 
and  Tim  made  a  grab  for  the  line.  He  was  hauled 
up  quickly,  and  went  forward  without  a  word  of 
excuse  to  the  captain  and  Hawkson's  inquiries  as 
to  how  he  happened  overboard. 

It  was  a  strange  occurrence,  and  I  pondered  over 
it  that  evening  while  the  barque  rolled  slowly  toward 
the  islands  under  a  bright  moon,  and  our  watch 

85 


BLC     BAE 


stretched  themselves  upon  the  main-hatch  to  smoke 
and  spin  yarns.  Tim  avoided  me. 

The  next  morning  we  found  ourselves  close  to 
New  Providence  Harbour,  the  white  water  of  the 
Great  Bahama  bank  stretching  away  on  all  sides. 

The  skipper  seemed  to  know  the  bank  pretty 
well,  for  he  sprung  his  luff  and  headed  into'  the 
harbour  without  waiting  for  a  pilot.  We  ran  close 
in,  clewing  up  the  topsails  as  we  went;  then  drop 
ping  the  head-sails,  let  go  the  hook  within  pistol- 
shot  of  the  town  of  Nassau.  The  town  looked  in 
viting  enough.  There  it  lay,  and  any  kind  of  a 
swimmer  could  make  the  beach  easily.  In  fact, 
before  we  had  the  sails  rolled  up  there  were  niggers 
alongside,  swimming  out  in  utter  disregard  for 
sharks,  and  begging  for  a  coin  to  be  tossed  over 
board  that  they  might  dive  for  it  and  catch  it  be 
fore  it  reached  the  bottom.  I  was  anxious  about 
Tim.  His  strange  action  and  talk  made  me  expect 
some  peculiar  happening,  and  I  watched  him  closely. 

Martin  came  to  me  as  I  stood  in  the  fore-rigging 
and  spoke,  looking  longingly  at  the  white  coral 
beach,  where  the  cocoanuts  raised  their  bunchy, 
long-leaved  tops  into  the  hot  air  and  rustled  softly 
an  invitation  to  the  sailor. 

"  I  say,  Hey  wood,  ye  dare  do  it  or  no,  hey?  "  he 
said. 

"I'll  see,"  I  answered;  "but  isn't  the  barky  all 
86 


BLACK,  B 


right?  We've  been  treated  mighty  well  even  if 
we  were  gulled  in  signing  into  her.  I  don't  know 
the  place,  and  we  might  be  a  great  deal  worse  off 
ashore." 

"  Barky  be  sunk  !  What  the  devil  care  I  for  the 
barky,  man?  Didn't  I  sign  on  as  mate?  " 

Bill  came  down  from  aloft  and  joined  us,  and 
then  big  Jones  came  forward  with  Tim,  We  made 
a  pretence  of  coiling  down  running-gear  on  the 
pin-rail,  while  we  gazed  longingly  at  the  shore. 

While  we  looked,  a  whale-boat  shot  out  from 
the  landing.  It  was  rowed  by  eight  strapping  blacks, 
the  oars  double-banked,  and  in  the  stern-sheets  were 
two  men  in  white  linen,  looking  very  cool  and  trim 
in  the  hot  sunshine.  As  the  craft  drew  nearer,  we 
saw  she  was  heading  for  us,  and  the  two  men  were 
gazing  at  our  quarter-deck,  where  Hawkson  and 
Captain  Howard  were  talking  earnestly  with  Hicks 
and  Renshaw.  The  one  who  was  steering  was  a 
medium-sized  man  with  a  smooth,  red  face,  his 
beard  seeming  to  start  just  beneath  his  chin  and 
fill  his  collar  with  its  shaggy  growth  that  shot  up 
ward  from  somewhere  below. 

Behind  this  man  in  the  stern-sheets,  I  caught  the 
flutter  of  a  dress,  and  soon  made  out  the  figure  of 
a  young  girl  dressed  in  white  muslin. 

"WTho  is  it?"  asked  Bill.  "Looks  youst  like 
an  admiral." 

87 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


"  It's  Yankee  Dan,"  said  Tim.  "  I  thought  so. 
That's  his  daughter  with  him.  He's  the  biggest 
trader  north  o'  Cuba." 

"  The  deil  run  away  with  him,"  said  Martin. 
"  If  he's  backin'  this  barque  fer  nothin'  but  plain, 
honest  trade,  I'm  no  man  fer  him.  She  ware  a 
pirit  once,  why  not  again  ?  I  slip  before  dark.  Will 
ye  be  the  mon  to  follow,  ye  giant  Jones,  or  be  ye 
nothin'  but  a  beefy  lout  like  what  ye  look?" 

The  big  fellow  scowled  at  this. 

"  Ef  you  are  the  better  man,  show  me  to-night," 
said  he. 

The  boat  had  now  drawn  up  alongside,  and  the 
bearded  fellow  in  charge  stood  up  and  hailed  the 
quarter-deck,  where  Howard,  Hawkson,  and  the 
rest  were  leaning  over  the  rail  watching  him.  Hicks 
and  Renshaw  bowed  and  removed  their  hats  in  def 
erence  to  the  young  lady,  but  Hawkson  and  the 
skipper  stood  stiff. 

"  Didn't  expect  to  see  you,  Howard,"  cried  the 
trader.  '  They  haven't  hung  you  yet  !  How  is  it  ? 
Rope  scarce?  Lines  give  out?  This  is  my  daugh 
ter,  —  and  you'll  be  damn  civil  to  her  if  you'll  do 
any  business  with  me.  Swing  over  your  ladder, 
and  don't  keep  me  waiting.  I  won't  wait  for  you  or 
any  other  bull-necked  Britisher." 

Hawkson  had  already  had  Mr.  Gull  swing  out 
the  accommodation  ladder  from  the  poop,  and  the 

88 


€&5>THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

second  mate  simply  lowered  it  an  inch  or  two  as  the 
whale-boat  swept  up. 

"  Take  in  them  oak  gales,"  roared  Yankee  Dan, 
whacking  the  stroke  oarsman  over  the  knuckles 
with  a  light  cane  he  carried.  Then  pulling  savagely 
upon  the  port  tiller-rope,  the  boat  swung  up  along 
side  the  ladder  under  full  headway. 

"  Stop  her,"  he  bellowed. 

It  looked  as  though  she  would  go  rasping  along 
the  whole  length  of  the  barque  with  the  impetus, 
but  the  blacks  were  instantly  at  the  rail,  grasping 
and  seizing  anything  in  their  powerful  hands,  while 
one  man  forward,  who  had  banked  the  bow  oar, 
stood  up  with  a  huge  hook  and  rammed  its  point 
into  our  side  to  check  her.  She  brought  up  so 
suddenly  that  the  trader  was  almost  thrown  from 
his  feet. 

"  Come  aboard,  Whiskers,  an'  don't  tear  all  our 
paint  off,"  said  Hawkson,  swaying  the  man-ropes 
so  they  fell  aboard. 

The  old  trader  glanced  upward,  the  white  hair 
of  his  beard  sticking  out  aggressively  over  his  collar 
and  framing  his  otherwise  hairless  face  in  a  sort  of 
bristling  halo.  I  saw  the  young  girl  flash  a  glance 
of  disdain  at  the  poop  and  then  seize  the  man-ropes. 
She  sprang  lightly  upon  the  ladder  and  mounted 
rapidly  to  the  deck,  followed  by  the  younger  man, 


who  had  replied  to  none  of  the  salutations  and  had 
quietly  awaited  events. 

Yankee  Dan  followed  and  seized  Hawkson's  hand, 
greeting  him  as  an  old  friend.  Then  he  slapped 
Captain  Howard  a  rousing  blow  upon  the  back  and 
introduced  his  daughter.  Mr.  Curtis  shook  hands 
all  round,  appearing  to  know  every  one,  and  we 
rightly  surmised  that  he  was  the  principal  owner. 

The  vociferous  trader  kept  talking  in  high  good 
humour,  being  on  familiar  terms  with  Hicks,  Ren- 
shaw,  and  the  captain,  and  our  men  were  anxious 
to  hear  his  words,  hoping  to  gather  something  in 
reference  to  our  cruise.  As  for  me,  I  found  my 
attention  drawn  more  toward  the  young  lady,  for 
never  had  I  seen  such  perfection  in  womanly  form 
or  feature. 

She  was  tall,  and  her  figure,  while  not  stout,  had 
a  supple  fulness  that  spoke  of  great  strength  and 
grace.  Her  face  was  full  and  rosy,  and  her  dark 
eyes  were  exquisitely  bright,  glancing  quickly  at 
a  word  or  look.  Her  mouth,  partly  open,  showed 
strong  white  teeth,  and  her  smile  was  a  revelation. 
There  was  nothing  about  her  that  spoke  of  her 
father  save  her  apparent  good  humour  and  disdain 
for  conventionalities.  Her  eyes  were  gentle,  and 
had  nothing  of  the  fierce  twinkle  of  the  trader's. 
Altogether  I  was  so  entirely  taken  up  noting  her 


90 


BARQUE 


charms  that  I  was  not  aware  of  Mr.  Gull  until  he 
came  close  to  us  and  bawled  out: 

"  Clear  away  the  long-boat.  All  loafers  who  are 
tired  of  the  sea  and  want  a  run  on  the  beach  get 
ready  to  go  ashore." 


CHAPTER    XI. 

WE  MAKE  A  DAY  OF  IT 

"Dm  you  fellers  hear  me?"  asked  Mr.  Gull, 
coming  toward  Martin  and  the  rest  of  us. 

"  Harkee,  Mr.  Gull,"  said  the  Scot,  "  d'ye  mean 
we  can  clear  ef  the  wessel  don't  suit?  Is  that  the 
lay  o'  it?  She's  a  fine  ship,  Mr.  Gull,  an'  fer  me 
ye  can  lay  to  it.  I'd  never  leave  her,  unless  it's  the 
wish  o'  the  matchless  officers  that  commands  her." 

"If  you  drunkards  ain't  aboard  again  by  eight 
bells  to-night,  it'll  be  a  sorry  crowd  that'll  come 
next  day,  —  an'  ye  can  lay  to  that,  ye  fine  Scotch 
man,  an'  with  just  as  much  scope  as  ye  may  care 
for." 

Big  Jones  smiled  as  he  unbent  the  boat  tackle. 
It  was  evident  our  second  mate  was  not  as  big  a 
fool  as  he  looked,  but  it  seemed  strange  we  should 
be  allowed  ashore  unless  the  captain  had  good  rea 
son  to  believe  we  could  be  back  aboard  again.  Only 
a  few  minutes  before  we  were  planning  some  des 
perate  means  of  reaching  the  beach,  and  now  the 

92 


-  BARUE 


invitation  was  offered  to  all  who  cared  to  avail  them 
selves  of  the  captain's  liberality. 

In  a  very  short  time  the  boat  was  overboard,  and 
a  liberty  crew,  consisting  of  Martin,  Tim,  Big  Jones, 
Bill,  Anderson,  a  Norwegian  of  Gull's  watch,  a  Ger 
man  called  Ernest,  the  black  cook,  and  myself, 
jumped  into  her  and  started  off. 

"  If  I  come  back  again,"  said  Jones,  "  they'll 
need  a  good,  strong  heavy  man  over  there  or  a  pair 
o'  mules  to  drag  me." 

"  Good-bye,"  said  Bill.  "  Youst  keep  awake  when 
we  come  alongside.  'Twould  be  a  pity  to  rouse 
you,"  and  he  grinned  knowingly  at  the  men  who 
leaned  over  the  rail  to  see  us  depart. 

I  saw  the  old  rascal  Watkins  come  out  in  the 
waist  and  stand  a  moment  gazing  after  us,  and 
Ernest  bawled  out  a  taunt  in  German  which  none 
of  us  understood.  Then  we  shot  out  of  hearing 
and  headed  for  the  landing,  as  wild  for  the  beach 
as  so  many  apprentices. 

The  "  Doctor,"  who  was  a  most  powerful  nigger, 
grinned  in  anticipation  of  the  joys  on  the  shore. 
His  clothes  were  nondescript  and  bore  evidence  of 
the  galley,  and  his  feet  were  big,  black,  and  bare. 

"Yah,  yah,  yah!"  he  laughed,  "my  feet  is 
laughin'  at  my  pore  ole  body,  all  rags  and  grease. 
Dey'll  hab  a  time  asho'.  Ain't  seen  no  green  grass 
lately." 

93 


The  boat  was  run  upon  the  coral,  and  all  hands 
sprung  out  without  waiting  to  shove  her  up.  We 
splashed  ashore  through  the  shallow  water,  leaving 
the  Doctor  to  haul  the  boat  up  and  make  her 
fast.  It  was  evident  he  intended  going  back  aboard, 
but  we  were  a  bit  differently  inclined. 

The  black  soon  joined  us  and  led  the  way  to  the 
nearest  rum-shop,  the  place  all  sailors  steer  for, 
and,  without  comment,  we  filed  into  the  dirty  hole 
for  our  first  drink. 

"  I  says,  Thunderbo',  give  us  disha  stuff  they 
says  do  a  nigger  good,"  said  the  Doctor,  who 
acted  as  our  pilot.  "  My  feet  is  sure  laffin  at  my 
belly,  Thunderbo',  'cause  it's  as  empty  as  yo'  haid." 

Thunderbore,  who  was  a  huge,  nautical-looking 
pirate  as  black  as  the  Doctor,  showed  a  set  of 
white  teeth  and  a  large  jar  of  a  vile  fluid  which 
fairly  tore  my  throat  to  ribbons  as  I  swallowed  my 
"  whack."  Big  Jones  took  his  with  a  grimace,  and 
was  followed  by  Martin  and  the  rest  until  all  had 
drunk. 

The  stuff  was  pure  fire,  but  the  Doctor  gulped  a 
full  half-pint,  and  smacked  his  lips. 

'  Thunderbo',  yo'  sho'  ain't  gwine  to  make  a  po' 
nigger  drink  sech  holy  water  as  disha.  Give  us 
somethin'  that'll  scratch,  yo'  ape,  or  I'll  have  to 
take  charge  here,  —  I  sho'  will,"  said  the  Doctor. 

Thunderbore  had  a  good  temper,  but  was  used  to 

94 


€fe5>THE  BLACJL  BARQUE 

dealing  with  all  classes  of  desperadoes.  He  passed 
the  jar  again,  and  drew  a  Spanish  machete  or  corn- 
knife  from  his  belt.  He  reached  over  and  smote 
the  Doctor  playfully  a  blow  with  the  flat  of  it  that 
sounded  with  a  loud  clap  through  the  dirty  den. 

Some  of  the  men  laughed  in  derision,  but  the 
Doctor  showed  his  ugly  teeth  and  glared  at  the 
den-keeper.  He  took  another  drink,  and  the  fiery 
liquid  began  to  show  its  effects.  Even  Martin's 
eyes  looked  queer  after  a  second  taste,  and  he  edged 
toward  the  huge,  smiling  African  who  held  the  jar 
and  knife. 

"  I  weel  ken  ye  a  murderer  by  yer  eye,"  said  he, 
"  but  dare  ye  lay  aside  the  steel  an'  stand  forth, 
I'll  trim  ye,  ye  black  ape.  I'll  trim  ye  for  th'  sake 
o'  the  good  wittles  the  Doctor  has  cooked." 

The  pernicious  effect  of  the  liquor  was  showing 
in  the  men's  faces.  Even  I,  temperate  and  peace 
fully  disposed  as  I  always  am,  began  to  feel  a  desire 
to  assert  myself  in  a  manner  not  in  keeping  with 
my  usual  modesty.  In  fact,  there  were  some  there 
who  were  so  drunk  they  actually  accused  me  after 
ward  of  having  precipitated  trouble  by  driving  my 
fist  into  the  good-natured  Thunderbore's  anatomy 
and  seizing  his  machete.  If  I  did  such  a  thing,  it 
must  have  been  in  the  same  spirit  of  playfulness 
that  he  exhibited  when  smiting  the  Doctor,  for  I 
was  that  peacefully  inclined  that  even  after  seeing 

95 


BLACK.  BAR 


a  struggling  pile  of  human  forms  upon  the  floor, 
with  the  jar  beneath  them,  I  tried  to  separate  a  few 
with  all  my  strength.  After  exhausting  this,  I 
remember  Tim  cautioned  me  to  leave  the  intem 
perate  fellows,  who  still  struggled,  threatened,  and 
swore  at  the  black  Thunderbore,  who,  with  several 
friends  who  had  rushed  from  an  adjoining  room 
to  his  aid,  now  held  the  sailors  at  bay  with  a  board 
ing-pike.  This  he  jabbed  furiously  at  the  Doctor, 
and,  because  Big  Jones  would  not  allow  him  to  be 
impaled  upon  it,  the  sea  cook  took  offence  and  turned 
upon  his  saviour,  with  Martin  as  an  able  ally. 

The  whole  scene  soon  resolved  itself  into  a  sailors' 
brawl,  which  I  feel  ashamed  to  describe.  I  there 
fore  withdrew  with  my  companion  Tim,  who  was 
almost  as  averse  to  a  quarrel  as  I  was  myself. 

We  left  the  den,  and  he  guided  the  way  through 
the  white  streets  of  coral  rock,  which  shone  glar 
ingly  in  the  sunshine.  They  were  dazzling,  and 
the  light  made  my  head  swim  a  bit,  but  we  kept  on 
until  we  ran  into  a  shady  lane,  where  an  old  negress 
had  a  small  shanty,  in  front  of  which  she  displayed 
a  litter  of  shaddocks,  sour-sops,  and  sapodillas. 
Tim  purchased  some  of  the  fruit,  and  then  we  struck 
into  the  bush  until  we  reached  a  small  inlet.  Here, 
in  the  clear  water  into  which  one  could  see  several 
fathoms,  we  plunged,  leaving  our  clothing  upon 
the  bank. 

96 


BLAC1L  BARUE 


"  That  settles  it  for  me,"  I  said.  "  I'll  not  go 
back  in  that  ship.  Even  Mr.  Curtis,  with  all  his 
money  and  influence,  can't  get  me  back." 

"  Mr.  Curtis  is  closely  related  to  the  governor, 
and  can  get  you  easy  enough  if  he  wants  you," 
said  Tim.  "  But  I  feel  myself  like  making  the  jump 
right  here.  I've  been  here  before.  There  ain't 
nothin'  can  get  off  the  island  without  he  knows 
it.  That's  the  only  thing  that  keeps  me  from  it." 

"  I  thought  you  were  so  keen  for  me  to  get  out 
here,"  I  said,  sourly. 

"  I  didn't  suggest  Nassau,  did  I  ?  "  said  Tim. 

"  That's  the  place,"  I  answered,  "  but  I  suppose 
you  were  a  bit  loony.  What  ipade  you  act  bug 
house  and  go  over  the  side,  hey?  " 

Tim  looked  at  me  strangely  a  moment. 

"  I  didn't  mean  you  to  jump  right  here.  You 
can't  do  it.  They'll  have  us  back  aboard  to-morrow. 
Wait  till  we  get  to  the  s'uthard  for  wood.  There'll 
be  a  chance  on  the  Caicos  or  Turk's  Island,  and 
we  go  in  there." 

I  swam  about,  enjoying  myself  as  much  as  pos 
sible  with  a  rising  temper  at  the  thought  of  going 
back  aboard.  I  began  to  study  the  question,  and 
asked  about  the  size  of  the  island  and  the  distances 
to  the  different  points  on  the  Bahama  bank.  Tim 
had  been  all  over  the  bank,  and  knew  it  pretty  well, 


97 


BLAC1L  BARUE 


and  I  became  absorbed  listening  to  him  and  form 
ing  my  plans. 

Suddenly  it  occurred  to  me  I  needed  a  smoke, 
and  started  for  the  shore  to  get  my  pipe  out  of  my 
clothes.  We  could  sit  naked  in  the  shade  and  enjoy 
life  a  bit  while  trying  a  scheme. 

"  Where  the  deuce  did  you  put  those  clothes  ?  " 
I  asked  Tim,  who  followed  me. 

"  I  never  touched  them.     What's  the  matter?  " 

"  I  don't  see  them  anywhere,"  I  answered,  sus 
piciously. 

We  were  both  on  the  bank,  and  stood  there  gaz 
ing  about  us.  There  was  nothing  in  the  shape  of 
a  garment  near,  not  even  a  handkerchief.  Tim's 
white,  freckled  body  looked  rather  meagre,  and  I 
noticed  several  huge  flies  that  lit  upon  him  and  made 
him  jump  with  their  bite.  Then  something  got 
foul  of  my  back  and  stung  me  madly. 

"  Devil  nab  me,"  I  yelled,  "  what  the  mischief 
is  it?" 

"  Nothin'  but  a  fish-fly,"  said  Tim,  slapping  me 
a  rousing  whack  between  the  shoulders.  "  Our 
clothes  are  gone  all  right,  and  we've  got  to  foot 
it  back  to  the  landing  naked.  What's  the  use 
growlin'  about  it?" 

"  Well,  you  are  a  —  "  but  words  failed  me.  That 
couldn't  express  what  I  felt.  I  had  trusted  to  Tim's 
knowledge  of  the  place,  and  here  was  a  mess.  There 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


was  no  possible  means  of  clearing  out  without  a 
stitch  of  clothing,  and  the  rascally  thief  who  had 
taken  ours  gave  me  an  idea  how  closely  a  deserter 
would  be  followed  over  the  low  island  barren  of 
heavy  timber.  I  looked  along  the  bank,  and  saw 
there  was  no  use. 

"  You're  the  biggest  fool  I  ever  knew,"  I  finally 
said,  and  we  started  slowly  back  to  the  town,  with 
nothing  to  clothe  us  save  an  air  of  seeming  chastity 
not  at  all  in  keeping  with  civilization. 


99 


CHAPTER    XII. 

HOW    THE   DAY    ENDED 

IMMODESTY  is  the  principal  vice  I  do  not  pos 
sess.  When  we  started  to  get  back  to  The  Gentle 
Hand  clothed  in  the  odour  of  sanctity  and  villainous 
liquor,  I  must  say  my  heart  failed  me  at  the  sight 
of  the  town.  We  halted  at  the  outskirts  and  tacked 
ship,  standing  for  the  house  of  a  conch,  as  the 
Bahama  bank  men  are  called.  The  mosquitoes  and 
flies  had  by  this  time  made  life  almost  unbearable, 
and  something  had  to  be  done.  I  objected  to  steal 
ing  on  principle,  but  in  practice  I  expected  to  err, 
for,  if  a  suit  of  clothes  could  be  found  not  too  dirty 
to  wear,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  quell  my  scruples  in 
the  interest  of  the  self-respecting  citizens  of  Nassau. 

"  Tim,"  said  I,  "  you  little  speckled  leopard,  you 
shall  go  in  front.  You  have,  at  least,  some  large 
brown  spots  to  cover  your  hide,  while  I'm  as  pure 
white  as  the  coral  road  we're  walking  on." 

Tim  demurred  at  this. 

"  What's  the  matter  with  you?  Put  your  hulk- 
100 


1I! 


ing  carcass  in  front,  and  I'll  walk  behind.  There's 
no  use  making  fun  of  the  thing.  You  strut  about 
big  enough  on  deck,  glad  enough  to  have  any  one 
notice  you  —  Hi  !  there's  an'  ole  nigger  woman 
now,"  and  he  crouched  down  in  the  long  grass. 

I  sank  instantly  and  hailed  the  old  lady. 

"  Hi,  there!  Mammy,  have  you  a  spare  —  er  — 
er  pair  —  I  mean  an  apron  or  two  you  could  lend?  " 

"  Lawd  sakes!  How  yo'  scart  me!"  cried  the 
old  negress.  "Where  yo'  is,  honey?"  and  she 
looked  about  her. 

"  We're  over  here  in  the  grass.  Lost  our  clothes 
while  swimming.  Don't  come  over,  but  just  fetch 
out  a  bit  of  dunnage  and  run  away,  that's  a  good 
ole  gal,"  I  said. 

"  Run  away  !  Huh  !  Who  is  you  toe  tell  me  to 
run  away.  Fse  Mr.  Curtis'  nigger,  an'  I  doan'  run 
fo'  no  one,  I  jest  tell  yo'  dat,"  and  she  advanced 
toward  us. 

"Ah,  trot  along,"  growled  Tim1.  "  Get  us  some 
clothes,  or  we'll  take  some.  We  haven't  time  to  fool 
with  any  blamed  old  nigger." 

She  advanced  close  to  us,  and  I  noticed  she  held 
a  small  black  baby  in  her  arms.  Tim  edged  behind 
me,  and  I  tried  to  shove  him  in  front. 

"Land  sakes  alive!"  she  cried.  "He,  he,  he, 
yah,  yah!  Well,  I  nebber.  Yo'  is  sho'  miff  nakid. 
Jest  as  nakid  as  this  little  babe  under  his  clothes. 

101 


Yah,  yah,  he  is  sho'  just  as  nakid  as  you  is  under 
his  clothes.  Well,  I  nebber  —  " 

But  we  waited  no  longer.  The  situation  was  too 
humiliating,  and  we  sprang  to  our  feet  and  dashed 
down  the  path  into  the  scrub. 

"  What  the  deuce  will  we  do  ?  "  I  asked,  when 
we  were  out  of  sight.  "  If  she  wasn't  a  woman, 
I'd  rip  her  clothes  off  pretty  quick  and  make  shift 
of  her  skirt.'* 

"  S'pose  we  lay  for  some  man,  then,"  said  Tim. 
"  Seems  to  me  you  might  turn  your  knowledge  of 
scrappin'  to  some  account." 

"  I've  a  notion  to  practise  a  bit  on  you,  you 
speckled  beauty,"  said  I,  angrily.  "  It's  your  fool 
ishness  that  got  us  in  this  fix." 

"  Here  comes  a  feller  your  size.     Try  him." 

I  turned  and  followed  his  gaze,  and  there,  sure 
enough,  loomed  a  huge  black  conch  with  a  bucket 
ful  of  sour-sops  in  either  hand,  striding  up  the  path. 
Hung  over  his  shoulder  was  a  long  blacksnake 
whip,  such  as  overseers  sometimes  used  upon  re 
fractory  slaves. 

"Hi,  there,  uncle,"  I  cried,  "I  would  like  to 
buy  some  sops,"  and  we  both  stepped  forth  into 
view. 

The  fellow's  ugly  visage  wrinkled,  and  he  set 
his  buckets  upon  the  ground. 

"  Who  is  yo'?  "  he  asked,  sourly. 

102 


"  We?  Why,  we  are  visitors,  friends  of  Mr. 
Curtis,"  I  said.  "  We  left  our  clothes  over  there 
at  the  inlet,  and  some  son  of  a  polecat  ran  off  with 
them.  Give  us  some  sops  and  give  us  a  shift.  We'll 
pay  you  well  for  it." 

"  Whar's  yo'  munny?"  he  growled. 

"  In  our  clothes.  Sink  you  for  a  fool  nigger,  you 
don't  suppose  we  have  pockets  in  our  skins,  do 
you?" 

"Who  yo'  callin'  a  fool  nigger?"  and  he  drew 
his  whip  over  his  shoulder.  "  Don't  yo'  call  me 
no  names,  yo'  po'  white  trash.  I'll  cut  yo'  toe  rib 
bons,  dat  I  will." 

Before  either  of  us  could  spring  aside,  the  lash 
flew  out  and  caught  first  one  and  then  the  other 
of  us  on  our  naked  bodies.  The  pain  was  awful. 
Tim  dashed  up  the  path  instantly  without  waiting 
for  a  second  dose,  and  the  huge  conch  sprang  after 
him,  leaving  me  behind. 

Away  they  went,  the  lash  flying  out  like  the 
tongue  of  a  snake,  landing  every  time  upon  that 
part  of  poor  Tim's  anatomy  which  is  said  to  be 
equally  discourteous  to  present  to  either  friend  or 
enemy.  And  every  time  it  landed,  it  brought  forth 
a  yell.  I  stood  grinning  for  an  instant,  in  spite 
of  the  pain  I  suffered,  and  then  the  sense  of  out 
raged  decency  getting  the  best  of  my  risibilities, 
I  launched  myself  full  speed  in  pursuit 

103 


Away  we  went  up  that  trail,  Tim's  speckled  body 
leading  the  way,  his  red  hair  streaming  in  the  wind, 
and  close  behind  him  rushed  that  big  black  conch 
with  his  cruel  whip,  his  bare  feet  not  heeding  in 
the  least  a  thousand  things  that  pricked  and  pained 
the  soles  of  mine,  as  I  tore  along  in  his  wake. 

"  Hi,  hi,  go  it,  Jackson  !  "  howled  a  black  fellow 
who  stood  in  the  path  and  watched  the  race. 

An  upper  cut  with  my  left  fist  did  much  to  abate 
his  zeal,  and  left  him  lying  upon  his  back,  while 
with  undiminished  speed  I  went  ahead.  Soon  the 
white  coral  street  of  the  town  showed  a  bit  in  front 
through  the  bushes,  and  in  another  minute  we  were 
fairly  into  the  main  street  of  Nassau. 

I  was  now  thoroughly  aroused,  and  forgot  en 
tirely  my  predicament,  so  intent  was  I  upon  reach 
ing  that  rascal's  back.  I  called  hoarsely  for  Tim 
to  stop,  but,  either  because  I  was  a  bit  winded  or 
our  pace  was  too  fast  to  allow  the  sound  of  my 
voice  to  reach  him,  he  heeded  it  not  at  all,  but  held 
his  pace  under  all  sail. 

White  men  now  sprang  from  doorways  to  see 
what  had  happened,  as  the  yells  came  flying  down 
the  thoroughfare,  and  many  women  immodestly 
halted  to  view  the  spectacle.  I  don't  know  how  the 
matter  would  have  ended  had  not  Tim  turned  a 
corner  suddenly,  and  plunged  straight  into  the  arms 


104 


BK.  BARUE 


of  Big  Jones  and  Martin,  who  were  rushing  for 
the  pavement  at  the  sound  of  alarm. 

The  Scotchman,  with  rare  presence  of  mind, 
made  a  grab  at  Tim's  speckled  body,  thinking  it 
some  peculiar  breed  of  ape  that  had  escaped  from 
its  keeper,  and  in  doing  so  lost  his  drunken  balance, 
and  plunged  head  foremost  into  the  stomach  of  the 
pursuing  conch,  and  together  they  rolled  over  into 
the  street.  Before  they  could  disengage,  I  had  a 
grip  upon  that  conch  that  he  will  remember  yet. 

"  Deil  save  us,  ye  cateran,  what  is  it?"  gasped 
the  inebriated  Scot,  struggling  to  his  feet.  "  What  ? 
You  Heywood  !  Ye  immodest  heathen  !  Hold  him, 
ye  black  feller,  an'  I'll  lay  the  lash  upon  his  unchaste 
hide." 

Before  he  could  come  to  the  conch's  assistance, 
a  speckled  form  sprang  upon  him  and  bore  him 
back  again  into  the  street,  and  I  saw  Tim  change 
from  a  fugitive  into  a  veritable  leopard,  striking 
fiercely  and  tearing  at  the  blouse  of  the  sailor  until 
it  had  parted  and  come  away  in  halves.  Just  then 
I  had  business  with  the  giant  conch  that  needed 
attention,  and  I  saw  nothing  more  of  that  fracas. 

The  black  man  was  a  powerful  fellow,  but  he 
lacked  skill.  The  blow  in  the  stomach  had  winded 
him  temporarily,  and,  before  he  had  recovered,  I 
was  cutting  him  up  scientifically  with  his  own  whip, 
while  the  crowd  hooted  and  cheered  in  derision. 

105 


BLCK.  BARUE 


When  I  desisted,  he  could  hardly  stand,  much  less 
walk,  and  then  Big  Jones,  who  was  enjoying  the 
spectacle,  offered  me  his  jumper.  This  I  put  on 
by  running  my  legs  through  the  sleeves,  after  split 
ting  them,  and  buttoning  it  behind.  Tim  had  by 
this  time  divested  Martin  of  his  spare  raiment,  and, 
dressed  somewhat  alike,  we  strode  side  by  side  with 
much  dignity  to  the  boat,  followed  by  Big  Jones, 
the  Welshman,  and  an  admiring  throng  of  natives 
who  cheered  us  lustily. 

Martin  and  the  well-thrashed  overseer  were  left 
behind  to  compare  notes,  while,  with  the  blue  eagle 
upon  my  breast  fairly  red  with  mortification,  we 
stepped  aboard  and  shoved  off. 


1 06 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

A   SURPRISING   SALUTE, 

As  we  drew  up  alongside  The  Gentle  Hand,  our 
peculiar  attire  attracted  more  or  less  attention. 
Hawkson  called  vociferously  for  Hicks,  Renshaw, 
and  the  rest  to  observe  us.  Captain  Howard  threw 
back  his  head  and  cackled  away  like  an  old  hen, 
his  bald  poll  turning  red  with  exertion. 

"  Sink  me !  "  he  cried,  "  but  you  two  men  shall 
lay  aft  here/' 

The  Yankee  trader  shook  with  emotion,  and  in 
sisted  that  Mr.  Gull  fetch  us  aft  to  parade  the  quar 
ter-deck.  This  I  had  no  intention  of  doing,  so, 
springing  quickly  into  the  channels,  I  made  a  rush 
for  the  forecastle,  and  got  below  before  we  were 
captured.  But  Tim  was  not  so  lucky.  He  was  in 
tercepted  by  Mr.  Gull,  and  escaped  below  only  after 
a  vigorous  chase,  in  which  all  hands  joined,  pelting 
him  with  rope's-ends  and  whatever  they  could  lay 
hands  to.  As  the  uproar  of  laughter  on  deck  sub 
sided,  we  changed  our  jumpers  for  clothes,  both 

107 


mad  and  disgusted  thoroughly  at  the  humiliating 
performance  we  had  undergone.  But,  tired  as  we 
were,  Mr.  Gull  turned  us  to  with  the  men  who  had 
stayed  aboard  and  were  sent  below  into  the  'tween 
deck,  where  the  noise  of  hammering  now  became 
apparent.  Richards  took  no  notice  of  us  while  he 
was  at  work  overhauling  a  pile  of  lumber  brought 
from  the  shore.  Evidently  he  was  disgusted  at  our 
behaviour  and  took  this  way  of  showing  it. 

Jorg,  the  Finn,  was  working  away  with  a  gang 
of  men,  building  a  platform  around  the  sides  of  the 
empty  hold,  and  driving  heavy  staples  into  the 
barque's  ceiling.  He  gave  me  a  sour  look  as  I 
passed  him,  and  then  Mr.  Gull  led  the  way  aft  to 
where  Henry  was  at  work  cutting  up  planks. 

"  Better  measure  'em  of!  accurate,  Heywood," 
he  said,  motioning  to  the  pile  of  lumber  that  lay 
near.  "  Allow  six  feet  six  inches  fer  them  long 
niggers,  or  they'll  be  lame  from  hanging  their  heavy 
feet  over  the  edge." 

Then  he  passed  on,  leaving  me  alone  with  the 
ferret-faced  officer,  who  was  sawing  up  a  length  of 
plank.  The  long  lines  of  staples  with  chains  attached 
began  to  have  some  meaning  to  me  now,  for  the 
effects  of  the  run  had  done  much  to  clear  my  head. 
Henry  saw  my  gaze  following  the  line  forward,  and 
stopped  to  mop  the  perspiration  from  his  dripping 
face, 

108 


BARQUE 


"  What  d'ye  think,  will  she  carry  five  hundred, 
hey?  "  he  said. 

The  horror  of  the  thing  began  to  dawn  upon  me. 
The  chains  and  staples  were  for  human  beings.  The 
temperature  of  that  hold,  as  it  was,  could  not  have 
been  less  than  one  hundred  degrees.  What  would 
it  be  with  a  mass  of  filthy  black  humanity  packed 
and  wedged  in  as  tight  as  they  could  be  stowed! 

"Is  five  hundred  niggers  her  rating?"  I  asked, 
with  unconcern. 

Henry  shot  his  fox-like  glance  at  me. 

"  Don't  you  really  know  no  better'n  that  ?  "  he 
said. 

"  Slaving  and  piracy  hasn't  been  my  chief  occu 
pation,  Henry,"  I  said.  "  My  people  have  always 
been  respectable,  and  I  have  been  a  man-o'  -war's 
man.  Besides,  my  mother  hasn't  been  hung  yet." 

"  Well,"  he  said,  wincing  at  this  last  part  of  my 
remark,  "  law  an'  justice  air  two  different  things. 
It  hain't  a  penal  hoffence  to  bring  a  fool  into  the 
world,  but  it  should  be,  —  an'  a  capital  one,  too." 

"  I'll  admit  justice  miscarried  in  the  case  of  your 
parents,  but  let  it  go.  Explain  what's  wrong  with 
me.  I  don't  know  any  better  than  ask  if  five  hun 
dred  is  this  bark's  complement,  cargo,  or  whatever 
you  choose  to  call  it." 

"  Well,  if  ye'd  ever  been  in  a  slaver  before,  Hi 
cudn't  hexcuse  yer  foolishness,  Heywood,  but,  since 

109 


ye  ask  me,  ye  may  note  that  this  here  'tween-decks 
will  mighty  nigh  accommodate  a  trifle  o'  five  hun 
dred.  What  about  the  lower  hold,  hey  ?  " 

"  Do  you  mean  that  they'll  fill  her  up  solid  with 
human  bodies?  "  I  asked. 

"  Oh,  no  ;  they'll  let  in  a  bit  o'  air  through  the 
hatch-gratings  in  good  weather.  The  voyage  ain't 
a-goin'  to  last  for  ever.  Say,  d'ye  think  this  is  a 
slow  ship?  You  seen  her  run.  Honest  now,  how 
long  d'ye  calculate  we  be  'tween  here  an*  the  Guinea 
coast.  A  man,  even  a  nigger,  can  stand  bein'  shut 
up  a  little  while.  An'  then,  stave  you,  Heywood, 
for  a  priest,  don't  ye  think  a  bit  o'  sufferin'  is 
worth  goin'  through  to  be  a  good  Christian  an'  die 
in  the  faith,  hey?  Every  black  bloomin'  son  of  a 
gun'll  be  as  good  Christian  as  you  are  afore  he 
dies." 

I  said  no  more.  When  I  saw  Tim  he  showed 
no  surprise. 

"  I  expected  at  least  that,"  he  said.  "  It's  Yankee 
Dan's  principal  business.  I  was  with  them  once 
before,  an'  that's  the  reason  I  wanted  you  to  clear." 

"  It's  a  strange  Yankee  that  should  be  at  the  head 
of  such  a  business,"  said  I.  "  Now,  if  a  Span 
iard—  " 

"  Stow  it  !  "  said  Tim,  angrily.  "  There  never 
was  any  other  real  slaver  than  the  Yankee,  an' 
they're  the  ones  makin'  the  most  howl  against  it. 

no 


E 


Nearly  every  slave-ship  that  comes  here  has  a 
Yankee  shipper." 

This  I  found  later  to  be  only  too  true.  It  was 
more  than  disgraceful  for  the  fact  that,  even  at  that 
time,  in  the  Northern  States  there  had  been  angry 
discussions  upon  the  question,  the  South  being  scored 
heavily  for  the  slaves  it  held  from  necessity  to  work 
the  plantations. 

It  was  evident  that  the  English  governor  winked 
at  the  trade,  and  that  few,  if  any,  of  our  crew  had 
suspected  before  this  time  just  what  the  barque's 
trade  would  be.  As  there  seemed  every  prospect  of 
many  of  them  not  coming  aboard  again,  I  would 
not  worry  myself  about  the  matter  when  they  would 
learn  the  truth.  As  for  Martin,  he  would  be  glad 
to  be  in  a  slaver,  and  as  for  the  morals  of  the  rest 
of  the  liberty  crew,  they  were  not  worth  considering 
when  pitted  against  a  few  English  sovereigns  or 
American  dollars.  I  went  aft  that  evening  to  lower 
the  colours  with  a  very  disagreeable  feeling  at  the 
prospect  in  store. 

It  was  always  the  custom  aboard  The  Gentle 
Hand,  I  learned,  to  lower  the  colours  in  man-o'-war 
style  when  the  vessel  was  in  soundings,  so  I  repaired 
to  the  quarter-deck  to  load  one  of  the  after  guns, 
and  stand  by  to  set  the  sun. 

Tim  went  with  me,  acting  as  quartermaster,  and 
I  felt  somewhat  abashed  at  the  presence  of  Miss 

HI 


CK.  BARQUE 


Allen,  Yankee  Dan's  daughter.  I  wondered  if  she 
had  seen  me  come  aboard,  and  the  memory  of  that 
jumper  put  on  upside  down  made  my  face  wear  a 
smile  that  was  not  lost  on  Hawkson. 

"  Glad  to  see  you  lookin'  happy,  Hey  wood.  Yer 
see,  this  ain't  sech  a  bad  ship,  after  all.  Put  a  good 
big  charge  in  that  twelve-pounder,  and  p'int  her 
straight  for  the  governor's  house,  and  let  him  know 
there's  some  say  t'us.  It  never  hurts  to  put  on  a 
bit  o'  side  to  these  lazy  rulers,"  said  he,  as  I  began 
unlacing  the  gun-cover. 

"Do  you  want  a  shot  rammed  in  it,  too?"  I 
asked.  "  It  might  be  just  as  well  to  stir  him  up 
with  a  handful  of  good  iron.  It  would  probably 
be  small  loss  to  his  country  if  he  happened  to  try 
and  stop  it." 

"  That's  where  you  show  a  lot  o'  foolishness,"  he 
replied.  "  There's  devilish  few  men  like  him,  and, 
if  his  country  can  spare  him,  we  can't.  By  no  means 
let  a  shot  get  in  that  gun." 

While  we  were  talking,  Miss  Allen  came  up  the 
companionway  accompanied  by  Hicks,  Renshaw,  and 
Curtis.  She  looked  magnificent  as  she  stood  there 
in  the  fading  sunlight,  her  hair  taking  on  a  deep 
coppery-red  colour,  and  her  eyes  sparkling  with 
amusement. 

"Will  you  let  me  fire  it,  Mr.  Sailorman?"  she 


112 


BLACK,  BARQUE 


asked,  nodding  toward  the  gun  which  I  was  load 
ing. 

"  Indeed  he  will  not,"  said  Mr.  Curtis,  whom  I 
now  observed  to  be  a  man  of  some  presence,  wear 
ing  a  single  eye-glass  and  a  look  such  as  I  had 
imagined  belonged  to  men  much  given  to  science 
and  books. 

"  You  have  my  permission,"  laughed  Sir  John, 
winking  awkwardly,  "  but,  of  course,  you  must  not 
disobey." 

"  I  have  not  promised  to  obey  yet,"  said  the  girl, 
with  a  slight  raising  of  the  eyebrows.  "  Suppose, 
Sir  John,  you  allow  your  wit  to  flow  in  different 
channels." 

"Wit!"  growled  Renshaw.  "Don't  use  the 
word,  I  beg  you,  in  connection  with  his  speech. 
One  might  really  suppose  there  was  such  a  qual 
ity  in  his  nature,  since  you  suggest  it,  Miss  Allen, 
and  much  as  I  should  like  to  —  " 

"Oh,  stow  it!  Belay  for  the  lady's  sake,"  said 
Sir  John.  "  There  is  such  a  thing  as  talking  a 
person  to  death." 

"  Between  the  two  of  you,  she  is  in  rather  a 
'dangerous  situation,"  said  Mr.  Curtis,  sourly,  "  but 
I  suppose  there  is  some  excuse  for  men  who  have 
been  at  sea  over  a  month." 

Miss  Allen  had  heard  little  or  none  of  this  last 


BC1L  BAR.UE 


remark,  for  she  was  advancing  to  me  as  I  stood  at 
the  breech  of  the  fine  brass  gun. 

"  Do  you  give  me  the  lock-spring.  I  see  it  does 
not  need  a  port-fire  like  those  ashore,"  said  she, 
coming  to  my  side. 

"  It  is  not  time  to  fire  yet,"  I  said.  "  Mr.  Hawk- 
son  wifl  come  from  below  and  pass  the  word  from 
the  old  man  —  I  mean,  Captain  Howard." 

"  Why,  he  and  papa  will  never  get  through  talk 
ing  as  long  as  there's  a  bottle  between  them,"  she 
said.  "  Let  me  have  the  cord.  What  care  I  for 
your  Captain  Howard?" 

"  Here,  you  fellow  !  Don't  give  Miss  Allen  that 
lanyard,"  said  Mr.  Curtis,  in  a  tone  such  as  he  had 
probably  been  accustomed  to  use  to  his  niggers.  It 
rubbed  me  the  wrong  way.  I  was  entitled  to  mister 
while  on  the  poop. 

I  bowed  and  passed  the  string  into  her  hand,  and 
noticed  how  firm  and  round  were  the  fingers  that 
closed  upon  it. 

"  Fire  whenever  you  are  ready,  Miss  Allen,"  said 
I.  "  Jerk  hard  upon  the  cord." 

The  next  instant  there  was  a  flash  and  roar.  The 
blue  powder  smoke  swirled  over  the  harbour,  and 
the  echoes  were  loosened  in  the  bay,  while  over  all  a 
slight,  droning  snore,  rapidly  dying  away  in  the 
distance,  told  of  a  twelve-pound  solid  shot  tearing 


114 


BLC.  BARE 


its  way  through  the  quiet  air  between  the  ship  and 
the  governor's  house. 

I  looked  vainly  to  see  the  effect  of  the  shot,  won 
dering  how  on  earth  the  ball  came  to  get  into-  the 
gun.  Then  the  humming  of  the  signal  halyards 
called  my  attention,  and  I  saw  Tim  lowering  the 
ensign,  with  a  peculiar  glint  in  his  eyes,  while  Hawk- 
son,  Yankee  Dan,  and  the  captain  came  bounding 
from  below. 

"  What  the  devil  has  happened  ?  "  bawled  Hawk- 
son,  emerging  first.  "  Who  told  you  to  fire  that 
gun?"  and  he  glared  at  me. 

"  I  just  told  the  rascal  not  to,"  said  Mr.  Curtis, 
"  and  what  does  he  do  but  deliberately  do  it." 

Captain  Howard  turned  his  mask-like  face  to  me. 

"  Did  you  have  shot  in  that  piece?  "  he  asked. 

"  Not  that  I  know  of,"  I  stammered,  hesitatingly, 
for,  though  I  had  heard  the  shot  as  plainly  as  he, 
I  knew  nothing  of  how  it  came  in  the  gun. 

"  You  may  put  him  in  double  irons  until  I  want 
him,"  said  Howard,  dismissing  the  subject  and 
turning  to  the  trader. 

"  He  did  not  fire  that  gun,  and  shall  not  go  in 
irons,"  said  Miss  Allen,  firmly,  standing  before  her 
father  and  the  captain.  "  I  fired  that  gun.  Now, 
what  are  you  going  to  do  about  it  ?  " 

Howard  looked  straight  at  her  for  a  moment. 
Then  he  broke  forth  into  his  cackling  laugh. 


E 


"  Nothing,  of  course.  He,  he,  he,  ho,  ho!  not 
a  thing.  If  you  fired  that  gun,  it's  all  right.  Ho, 
ho,  ho!  Now,  Dan,  you'd  better  go  ashore  and 
explain  to  the  governor  how  your  daughter  hap 
pened  to  send  a  twelve-pounder  into  his  house. 
When  you  come  back,  maybe  you'll  think  ten  thou 
sand  pounds  is  a  big  price  to  pay  for  the  risk  we 
run,  and  maybe  you  won't.  If  he's  in  a  good  hu 
mour,  I  doubt  if  he  lets  you  land." 


116 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

I  DECIDE  TO  LEAVE  THE  BARQUE 

I  WAS  allowed  to  go  forward,  followed  by  Tim, 
who  gave  me  a  queer  look  as  he  passed. 

"  What  did  you  do  it  for?"  I  asked,  when  we 
were  out  of  hearing. 

But  Tim  only  looked  sullen  and  said  nothing. 

"  I  have  half  a  notion  to  report  you,"  I  said, 
angrily. 

"  Call  away  the  shore  boat !  "  came  Hawkson's 
hail,  and,  before  we  had  a  chance  to  say  anything 
more,  we  were  hustled  into  her  by  Mr.  Gull,  while 
the  negro  crew  in  Mr.  Curtis's  gig  dropped  to  the 
gangway. 

Henry  came  in  our  boat,  with  orders  to  collect 
his  men  and  bring  them  aboard,  and  we  had  just  time 
to  see  the  trader  and  his  daughter  embark  with  Mr. 
Curtis,  followed  by  the  jests  of  the  gentlemen  aboard 
who  handed  the  young  lady  down  the  ladder.  I 
felt  very  grateful  to  Miss  Allen,  and,  as  her  laugh- 

117 


&&0>THE  BLACK,  BARQUE 

ter  fell  upon  our  ears,  Henry  turned  and  gazed 
astern. 

"  If  I  know  the  governor,  there'll  be  trouble  yet," 
said  he.  "  That  Yankee  ain't  too  well  liked/' 

As  we  drew  near  the  landing,  we  noticed  a  crowd 
gathering,  and  an  official-looking  person  in  a  pecul 
iar  uniform  or  livery  came  to  meet  us. 

"  I  have  a  message  for  your  captain,"  said  he. 

"Is  it  official?"  asked  Henry. 

"  It  is,  and  both  imperative  and  immediate,"  said 
the  man. 

"  I  suppose,  then,  you  want  to  deliver  it?  "  asked 
Henry. 

*  Your  discernment  does  you  great  credit,"  said 
the  man. 

"Why!  Wh-o-o-a!  Say  not  so,"  said  Henry, 
with  impressive  gravity.  "In  a  hurry,  eh?" 

"  I  am,  and  it'll  be  the  worse  for  you  if  you  delay 
me  any  longer." 

"  Now  hark  at  that  man !  "  cried  Henry,  as  his 
little  eyes  glittered.  "  Delay  him !  Here  I  am 
a-goin'  right  along  about  my  business,  an'  here  this 
chap  comes  up  sayin'  I  delay  him.  I'll  see  the  gov- 
e'nor  about  this.  Come  along,  bullies,"  and  he 
sprang  ashore,  ordering  us  to  follow. 

"  It's  the  governor  who  will  see  you,  you  fellow," 
said  the  man. 

"  An*  him  a-callin'  me  names,"  cried  Henry. 
118 


BLACK,  BARQUE  M& 

Then  in  a  lower  tone,  as  we  drew  away :  "  Hi 
reckon  'is  'ighness'll  get  along  without  us.  We'll 
want  to  hustle  that  crew  aboard  'fore  there's  trou 
ble." 

This  seemed  harder  to  me  than  it  did  to  the  third 
mate,  and  I  smiled  as  I  thought  of  Jones,  Martin, 
and  the  fighting  Doctor.  We  quickly  left  the 
vicinity  of  the  landing,  and  hurried  through  the 
darkening  streets  in  the  direction  of  the  den  kept 
by  the  truculent  Thunderbore. 

They  were  not  there,  and  we  hurried  on  in  the 
direction  the  big  conch  told  us  they  had  taken, 
Henry  apparently  confident  that  we  would  have  them 
in  hand  shortly. 

As  the  darkness  fell,  and  objects  could  not  be 
distinguished,  the  desire  to  desert  the  barque  took 
strong  hold  of  me.  Her  mission  was  apparent  now, 
and  I  determined  to  make  a  dash  for  liberty  at  the 
first  opportunity.  Tim's  peculiar  behaviour  troubled 
me,  and  I  was  somewhat  backward  in  taking  him 
into  my  confidence.  However,  when  we  struck  into 
an  extremely  dark  street,  I  thought  his  knowledge 
of  the  town  would  be  of  use,  and  I  whispered  my 
intention  of  clearing.  The  next  instant  we  were 
plunging  into  the  darkness,  while  Henry's  voice 
bawled  forth,  dying  away  in  the  distance: 

"  Come  back,  ye  blazin'  fools !     Come  back !  " 

We  ran  wildly  up  the  street  until  it  ended -in  a 
119 


BLACIL  BAR 


thick  thorn  hedge,  into  which  I  foolishly  plunged, 
getting  badly  scratched  for  my  pains.  The  impetus 
of  the  run  sent  me  through  and  into  a  ditch  beyond, 
followed  by  Tim,  who  plunged  through  the  opening 
my  body  had  made.  He  landed  heavily  upon  me, 
knocking  the  breath  out  of  my  body,  and  for  awhile 
I  lay  there  unable  to  rise.  Then  Mr.  Henry's  voice, 
cursing  a  couple  of  fools,  sounded  unpleasantly  near, 
and  I  started  up,  resolved  to  make  a  fight  if  neces 
sary. 

The  little  mate,  however,  refused  to  seize  us,  even 
though  he  could  easily  have  done  so,  as  he  reached 
the  bank  of  the  ditch  before  we  could  get  clear. 
He  tried  to  argue  the  question,  preferring  words 
to  blows  in  the  darkness,  doubtless  fearing  the  knife 
in  such  an  encounter. 

"  What's  the  meanin'  of  it,  anyways?  "  he  asked. 
"What  yer  runnin'  fer?" 

"  Go  on,  Henry,"  said  I.  "  Go  get  the  men,  but 
don't  try  to  get  me  back  aboard  the  slaver,  or  there'll 
be  trouble." 

"  Well,  where  ye  a-goin'  ?  What's  the  sense  o' 
playin'  the  fool  when  you  have  to  be  a  man,  any 
ways.  I  ain't  goin'  to  te'ch  you,  but  I'll  say  right 
here  you'll  probably  get  irons  for  tryin'  this  fool 
trick." 

"  When  I'm  aboard,  we'll  discuss  the  irons.  Now 
stand  clear,  or  there'll  be  trouble." 

120 


B 


Tim  and  I  started  across  the  clearing,  heading1 
for  a  light  we  saw  in  the  distance.  Henry  declined 
to  follow,  and  we  left  him  swearing  at  our  stupidity. 
Going  on,  we  came  to  a  pathway  which  led  toward 
the  house,  and  we  had  hardly  struck  into  it  when 
there  was  a  rush  of  feet  on  the  coral,  followed  by  a 
deep  growling. 

"  Keep  clear  of  the  houses.  Cut  for  the  cover 
back  of  the  town,"  said  Tim,  hoarsely. 

As  I  sheered  off,  a  huge  animal  sprang  upon  me 
and  knocked  me  down,  fastening  its  teeth  in  my 
neck  and  shoulder.  I  heard  Tim  cry  out,  "  Blood 
hound,"  and  then  he  flung  himself  upon  the  beast, 
while  I  tried  my  best  to  pull  out  my  knife  and  get 
the  animal  in  front  of  me. 

The  dog  let  out  a  deep,  baying  cry  as  Tim  struck, 
and  this  was  answered  by  several  animals  near  the 
house.  I  soon  had  my  knife  at  work,  and,  in  spite 
of  a  lacerated  shoulder,  plunged  it  again  and  again 
into  the  ferocious  brute.  Then  he  relaxed  his  hold, 
and  I  stood  up.  A  lantern  flashed  in  the  path,  and, 
before  we  could  run,  forms  of  men  showed  close 
to  us. 

"  Who  is  it?  What's  the  matter?  "  said  a  strong 
voice  I  recognized  as  Yankee  Dan's.  Behind  him 
were  Mr.  Curtis,  Miss  Allen,  and  the  two  stalwart 
conchs  who  accompanied  them  from  the  landing. 


121 


BLAC1L  BARE 


It  was  now  or  never.  The  dog  was  evidently 
done  for,  and  we  must  run  for  it. 

"  Come  on/'  I  said  to  Tim,  and  away  we  went. 

"Halt!"  came  the  deep  voice  of  the  trader. 
"Halt,  or  I'll  fire!" 

"It's  the  sailors;    don't!"  cried  Miss  Allen. 

We  were  going  pretty  fast,  and  must  have  been 
out  of  sight  in  a  few  minutes.  Perhaps  the  trader 
did  not  wish  to  hit  us.  At  all  events,  his  shot  whis 
tled  past,  and  we  were  soon  out  of  range.  Had  he 
known  the  loss  of  his  dog,  he  might  have  taken 
better  aim. 

We  were  soon  in  the  thick  tropical  jungle,  and, 
as  it  was  almost  impenetrable,  we  were  forced  to 
halt.  We  waited  a  few  minutes  to  try  and  get  our 
bearings,  and  then  worked  out  into  the  open  again, 
keeping  away  from  all  lights.  In  this  way  we  blun 
dered  along  for  an  hour  or  two,  Tim  swearing  nois 
ily  at  the  darkness  and  obstacles  that  came  in  our 
path. 

"  It's  all  foolishness,  anyhow,  for  you  to  clear 
here,"  said  he.  "  They've  hounds  that'll  catch  us 
in  half  an  hour,  and  there's  no  way  to  leave  this 
island,  without  going  to  sea,  before  they  hunt  for 


us." 


"  Well,  show  me  a  boat,"  said  I,  angrily.  "  Any 
thing  that'll  carry  a  sail  across  the  Florida  channel 
will  do,  and,  if  you  think  I'll  mind  stealing  it,  you 

122 


B 


know  mighty  little  how  I  want  to  clear.  I'll  face 
the  savages  of  the  Florida  peninsula  before  going 
with  that  gang  of  nigger  hunters." 

We  skirted  the  town,  and  finally  came  out  on  the 
shore  near  the  harbour  entrance.  Here  we  could 
find  some  kind  of  craft,  for  there  were  numerous 
spongers  and  fishermen  in  the  town. 

Tim  finally  brought  up  on  the  beach  and  tried 
to  get  his  bearings.  There  was  nothing  in  sight 
that  looked  like  a  sailing  craft,  except  a  dim  shadow 
out  in  the  harbour  which  gave  promise  of  being 
an  able  sloop,  for  the  tapering  line  that  went  sky 
ward  seemed  to  describe  a  tall  mast.  We  cast  about 
to  find  some  means  of  getting  aboard  without  swim 
ming,  for  the  water  looked  black  and  forbidding, 
and  the  phosphorus  flared  weirdly  in  places,  and 
gave  rise  to  a  belief  in  the  presence  of  that  ugly 
fish,  the  shark  of  the  Bahama  bank. 

While  we  skirted  the  fringe  of  rippling  waves, 
which  flamed  and  sparkled  as  they  rolled  upon  the 
beach,  we  heard  the  deep-mouthed  baying  of  hounds. 

"  My  God  !     I  told  you  so/'  said  Tim. 

"  They're  a  long  way  off  yet,"  I  answered,  surlily. 

"  A  sailor  ain't  much  at  running,  ye  know,  an' 
we  haven't  all  night  to  clear,"  he  answered. 

"  Well,  you've  forgotten  your  gait  mighty  sud 
den,  then,"  said  I.  "How  about  this  morning?" 

But  Tim  had  struck  into  a  quick  trot,  and  I  fol- 
123 


lowed,  for  the  deep,  musical  cry  of  those  dogs  was 
anything  but  nerve-steadying,  sounding  as  it  did 
through  the  darkness,  when  not  a  tree  or  house 
showed  us  a  place  of  refuge.  It  was  take  to  either 
a  tree  or  water,  and,  as  there  were  no  trees,  I  made 
ready  for  a  swim,  willing  to  trust  the  hidden  mon 
sters  below  the  surface  rather  than  those  of  dry 
land. 

After  running  for  a  few  minutes  toward  the  town, 
the  cry  of  the  hounds  sounded  louder.  They  were 
evidently  upon  our  trail,  and  it  would  be  but  a  few 
minutes  before  they  would  close  with  us,  and  then 
capture  would  be  certain.  It  might  be  well  if  we 
were  captured  before  the  brutes  seized  us,  for,  judg 
ing  from  the  size  of  the  one  we  had  killed,  they 
would  make  things  pretty  hot  if  it  came  to  a 
fight. 

"Into  the  water!"  panted  Tim. 

We  struck  into  the  edge  of  the  surf,  splashing 
through  the  water  where  it  was  but  a  few  inches 
deep,  hoping  thus  to  put  the  dogs  off  the  scent. 
In  a  little  while,  however,  we  found  this  failed  to 
check  them,  for,  while  they  stopped  a  few  minutes 
at  the  spot  we  struck  the  water,  they  soon  showed 
sagacity  enough  to  burst  into  full  cry  and  come 
tearing  up  the  beach  in  our  wake. 

We  were  now  nearing  houses  again,  and  in  a 
moment  bright  lights  shone  ahead.  A  large  build- 

124 


ing  on  the  edge  of  the  town  showed  lights  in  many 
windows,  and  the  sound  of  music  and  hoarse  voices 
came  forth.  It  was  evidently  a  place  for  fishermen 
and  traders  to  carouse,  and  we  headed  straight  for 
it  as  the  baying  drew  close  to  our  heels.  The  door 
was  open,  and  in  we  dashed,  flinging  it  to  in  the 
faces  of  as  ugly  a  pair  of  brutes  as  I  ever  saw. 

The  hounds  were  evidently  well  trained  to  hunt 
slaves,  for  they  flung  themselves  against  the  panels 
until  the  lock  burst  and  the  door  flew  open,  letting 
them  into  the  room  in  full  cry. 

Our  entrance  into  the  company  collected  in  that 
place  naturally  caused  some  commotion.  The  big 
Welshman,  Jones,  was  in  the  act  of  footing  a  horn 
pipe  with  a  tall,  yellow  girl  for  a  partner;  Martin 
sat  with  a  mug  of  ale  on  one  hand  and  a  stout  blond 
woman  on  the  other,  and  he  fiercely  squeezed  and 
pulled  an  old  accordion,  while  the  black  Doctor 
howled  and  patted  time  with  his  bare  feet  upon  the 
prostrate  form  of  Ernest,  the  German.  The  rest 
of  the  company  were  ranged  about,  looking  at  the 
big  Welshman,  roaring  or  screaming  as  the  case 
happened  to  be. 

For  an  instant  the  crowd  stopped  spellbound  at 
our  headlong  entrance.  Martin  was  in  the  act  of 
hurling  the  accordion  at  us  in  his  anger  at  being 
interrupted.  The  door  crashed  in,  and  the  two 
black  shapes  leaped  among  them. 

125 


The  hounds,  with  their  flaming  eyes  and  lolling 
tongues,  presented  a  hideous  spectacle,  and  the  effect 
of  their  headlong  plunge  was  too  much  for  the 
nerves  of  the  drunken  crew.  There  was  a  wild 
howl  of  terror  and  a  general  scramble.  I  knocked 
over  one  lamp,  and  Tim  adroitly  dowsed  the  other, 
causing  total  darkness,  and  then  above  the  wild  din 
I  could  hear  Martin's  voice,  roaring: 

"'Tisth'  dev'l,  man!  Tis  th'  dev'l  !  Gawd  save 
us,  'tis  th'  dev'l  himsel'l  Coom  out  an'  fight  like 
a  man,  ye  coward  !  Coom  in  th'  light,  an'  I'll  whol- 
lop  ye  like  a  babe,  ye  sneakin'  traitor!  Coom  out 
an'  stan'  to  a  true  Christian  sailor  —  ho-oo-t  !  " 

The  screams  of  the  women  and  bawling  of  the 
men,  coupled  with  the  deep  baying  howls  in  the 
darkness,  caused  a  disorder  hard  to  describe. 

There  were  several  windows  in  the  large  room, 
but  in  the  wild  scramble  these  were  overlooked  by 
some,  and,  before  the  hounds  could  disengage  them 
selves  from  the  struggling  crowd,  Tim  and  I  had 
leaped  out  and  were  running  wildly  into  the  streets 
of  Nassau. 

Windows  were  thrown  open  and  heads  peered 
out,  looking  in  the  direction  of  the  uproar,  and  I 
distinctly  heard  several  doubtful  encomiums  pro 
nounced  upon  the  habits  of  sailors  by  some  of  the 
more  respectable  residents  of  that  not  very  pious 


126 


BLAC1L  BARE 


town.  Then  we  fell  into  a  walk,  somewhat  amused 
at  our  sudden  deliverance,  and  soon  mingled  with 
the  loungers  upon  the  broad  street,  which  at  this 
early  hour  was  still  full  of  people. 


127 


CHAPTER    XV. 

OTHERS   DECIDE  OTHERWISE 

AFTER  following  the  street  for  a  time,  we  con 
cluded  that  our  presence  would  be  noted  by  the 
natives,  and  we  turned  into  a  broad,  poorly  lighted 
avenue,  whose  pavement  shone  white  in  the  dark 
ness.  Here  the  houses  seemed  of  the  better  class, 
and,  as  the  avenue  stretched  away  back  inland  to 
the  southward,  we  decided  to  get  across  to  the 
other  side  of  the  island,  and  trust  to  getting  a 
sponger  or  fisherman  to  take  us  to  some  of  the  de 
serted  cays  until  we  could  make  good  our  escape. 

"  If  you  didn't  leave  such  a  confounded  trail," 
said  Tim,  "  the  dogs  couldn't  follow  us.  But  you 
must  be  mighty  nigh  as  smelly  as  a  nigger,  for  they 
never  even  slowed  down  after  they  hit  it  fair." 

I  was  about  to  make  a  rather  warm  retort  to  this 
remark,  but  at  that  instant  the  door  of  a  large  house 
across  the  street  opened,  and  a  boy  appeared  upon 
the  threshold.  He  was  joined  instantly  by  a  large 

128 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


woman,  whose  strong  face  in  profile  showed  plainly 
against  the  light  inside. 

Tim  halted  and  seized  my  arm.  Then  he  swore 
softly,  and  stood  gazing  at  them  while  they  came 
out  into  the  street.  The  door  was  closed  with  a 
bang  by  the  woman,  but  not  before  I  had  time  to 
note  her  figure.  She  was  huge.  Almost  as  tall 
as  myself,  and  her  shoulders  were  those  of  a  prize 
fighter. 

"  Georgie,  you  dear/'  she  said,  "  if  you  run  off 
this  time,  you'll  be  sorry."  And  her  voice  was 
peculiarly  gentle  and  soft,  almost  absurdly  so  for 
a  person  of  her  size.  She  locked  the  door,  and  they 
came  toward  us  until  we  started  to  turn  aside  to 
pass. 

"  Mary!  "  said  Tim,  in  a  low  tone. 

The  woman  stopped  as  if  turned  to  stone. 

"  Who  is  it  ?  "  she  asked,  sweetly,  and  I  saw  her 
face  clearly  as  she  looked  full  at  me.  She  was  hand 
some.  It  was  dark,  but  her  eyes  shone,  and  I  could 
see  the  firm  sweep  of  her  chin  and  the  well-cut 
nose  and  lips.  She  was  not  young,  but  she  had 
all  the  colour  and  vigour  of  a  girl. 

"  It's  me,"  said  Tim,  shortly. 

The  next  instant  the  boy's  stick  fell  across  his 
shoulders  with  a  loud  whack. 

"  Clear  out,  you  rascal,"  he  said.  "  How  dare 
you  speak  to  a  lady  !  Oh,  it's  you,  is  it  —  " 

129 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


In  an  instant  the  boy's  arms  were  around  Tim's 
neck,  and  he  was  hugging  him  closely. 

"  Oh,  papa,  papa  !  "  he  was  crying,  while  the 
woman  looked  on  silently. 

In  a  moment  Tim  put  him  aside  and  stood  before 
his  wife.  The  scene  was  strange,  and,  as  I  stood  by, 
gazing  at  them,  I  thought  of  what  the  little  sailor 
had  told  me. 

Tim  advanced  and  held  out  his  hand.  The  woman 
sprang  forward  and  seized  it,  pressing  it  to  her  lips 
and  falling  upon  her  knees. 

"  Forgive  me/'  she  said. 

But  the  sailor  could  not  or  would  not  answer. 
He  stood  looking  down  at  her  a  long  time. 

"  Oh,  Tim,  Tim  !  "  she  pleaded,  gazing  up  at  him. 

I  was  somewhat  disturbed  at  the  scene,  for  there 
were  people  abroad  on  the  streets,  and  here  was  a 
fine,  large  woman,  as  good-looking  as  one  would 
care  to  see,  kneeling  before  a  pitiful-looking  sailor, 
who  was  as  ragged  and  dirty  looking  as  a  forlorn 
slave.  If  we  were  to  make  good  an  escape  from 
the  barque,  it  was  anything  but  the  proper  thing 
to  make  a  scene  in  the  town  streets. 

"  He  is  aboard  the  barque,"  said  Tim,  slowly. 
"  Will  you  give  him  up  and  come  back  to  me  if 
I  get  away?  " 

I  knew  he  was  speaking  of  Renshaw. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  moaned  the  woman  ;  "  only  say  you'll 

130 


forgive  me,  Tim.  I'll  try  and  help  you  get  away. 
You  know  I  can  handle  a  boat,  and  can  come  up 
to  you  on  the  ship  if  you  will  let  me  —  " 

He  placed  his  hand  upon  her  head  and  bade  her 
rise.  As  he  did  so,  two  men  came  from  the  shadow 
of  the  houses  across  the  street,  and  I  immediately 
recognized  Renshaw,  followed  by  the  bos'n,  who 
came  respectfully  a  few  feet  behind  him.  Old 
Richards  drew  up  alongside  his  master,  and  stood 
ready  for  further  orders. 

"  Get  back  to  your  boat,  sir,"  said  Renshaw,  ad 
dressing  Tim. 

The  little  sailor  waited  to  see  his  wife  upon  her 
feet.  Then  he  turned,  and  I  expected  to  see  him 
make  a  break  for  it,  as  he  struck  me  as  being  pretty 
good  at  running.  But  I  was  mistaken. 

With  a  sudden  lunge,  he  struck  Renshaw  a  ter 
rific  blow  in  the  face.  The  next  instant  the  bos'n 
sprang  forward  and  tried  to  grab  him,  and  would 
have  succeeded  but  for  the  fact  that  my  foot  slid 
out  between,  and  Richards  went  sprawling  in  the 
dust. 

It  looked  as  though  things  would  take  a  more 
serious  turn,  for  Tim  had  now  been  in  open  mutiny. 
Renshaw  had  fallen  and  struck  his  head  on  a  piece 
of  the  flagging  in  front  of  the  house,  and  lay  quite 
insensible. 


"  For  the  Lord's  sake,  Richards,  let  us  get  away," 
I  said,  as  the  bos'n  arose  angrily  to  his  feet. 

"  Into  the  house,  quick,"  cried  Tim's  wife,  as  she 
led  the  way  toward  the  door. 

"  He  isn't  hurt  half  as  badly  as  he  ought  to  be," 
said  Tim,  pointing  to  the  fallen  man.  "  Take  him 
away,  bos'n,  before  some  one  sees  him." 

Then  we  crowded  to  the  door,  which  was  flung 
open. 

At  that  minute  the  deep  baying  of  the  hounds 
fell  upon  our  ears,  sounding  weirdly  musical  in  the 
night,  and  a  few  moments  later  human  forms  dashed 
up  the  street,  with  the  leaping  animals  straining  at 
the  chains  that  held  them,  fairly  pulling  the  men 
into  their  tremendous  stride. 

"  Way  there  !  way  there  !  "  bawled  a  voice  I  knew 
was  Henry's,  and,  before  I  could  move,  one  of  the 
animals,  with  a  howl,  leaped  straight  for  my  throat. 

All  thought  of  escape  was  gone  in  an  instant,  and 
I  struggled  desperately  with  the  animal,  while  the 
black  conch  beat  and  pulled  to  drag  him  off. 

Finally,  after  I  had  my  hands  badly  torn  with 
the  brute's  teeth,  they  succeeded  in  quieting  him, 
and  Henry  clapped  irons  upon  my  wrists.  Then 
I  saw  Tim  had  also  been  taken,  and  was  standing 
quietly  with  his  hands  ironed  behind  him  and  his 
head  bowed  forward,  his  thoughts  evidently  far 
away  from  the  barque  or  her  crew.  Upon  the  white 

132 


BLAC1L  BARUE 


coral  road  lay  a  dark  object,  and,  while  I  looked, 
men  raised  it  and  bore  it  into  the  house  the  woman 
had  but  left  a  few  minutes  before. 

I  stood  gazing  after  them  until  Henry  shoved 
me  roughly  ahead. 

"  Come,  git  a  move  on  ye,"  said  he.  And  his 
fingers  closed  upon  my  arm  like  a  vice. 

We  went  some  distance  before  reaching  the  land 
ing  where  we  had  come  ashore,  and  I  was  more 
astonished  to  find  that,  in  spite  of  our  wild  run, 
the  boat  was  not  only  waiting  for  our  return,  but 
had  an  uproarious  crowd  ironed  in  her.  I  could 
hear  the  voice  of  Martin  raised  in  an  argument  with 
Bill,  insisting  the  devil  had  taken  charge  and  was 
afraid  to  stand  to  a  true  Christian  like  himself. 
And  the  big  Norwegian  would  earnestly  try  to 
strike  him,  and  then  bewailed  his  inability,  owing 
to  his  ironed  hands.  Above  all,  the  deep  roar  of 
Jones  floated  over  the  quiet  harbour,  joined  now 
and  then  by  the  thick  tones  of  the  Doctor  bawl 
ing  for  Thunderbo'  to  bring  him  something  that 
would  "  scratch." 

We  were  hustled  into  the  boat  without  ceremony, 
and  started  for  the  barque. 

As  we  drew  alongside,  Hawkson's  voice  hailed  us. 

"Got  'em  all?"  said  he. 

"  Hevery  bloomin'  one,  sur,"  answered  Henry. 

ft  Knock  off  their  irons,  then,  and  let  'em  turn 

133 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


in.  We'll  make  a  start  early  in  the  mornin'  if  things 
turn  out  all  right." 

"  There's  been  a  bit  o'  trouble  ashore,"  said 
Henry,  climbing  up  the  chains,  and  then  he  evi 
dently  told  Hawkson  something  of  what  had  hap 
pened,  for  Tim's  irons  and  mine  were  left  on,  and 
we  were  hustled  below,  where  we  were  hitched  to 
ring-bolts  in  the  slave-deck. 

Shortly  afterward,  the  noise  of  the  howling  men 
ceased,  and  I  knew  that  they  had  either  obeyed  or 
ders  and  turned  in,  or  had  been  gagged.  It  was 
dark  below,  and  I  could  see  nothing  of  Tim. 
I  spoke  his  name  softly,  but  received  no  answer. 
Then  I  heard  a  voice,  agonized  and  full  of  great 
suffering,  praying  and  pleading  for  some  one  to 
come  back  again. 


134 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

A   TASTE   OF    COLD   IRON 

IT  was  hard  to  tell  just  when  the  morning  dawned 
in  that  dark  hold  of  the  slaver.  I  was  awakened 
by  Henry  coming  below  and  leading  us  both  on 
deck,  where  our  usual  mess  of  bread  and  coffee  was 
served  for  breakfast.  Then  we  were  told  to  lay 
aft,  and,  following  Hawkson,  we  entered  the  cabin 
to  hear  our  sentence  pronounced  by  Captain  How 
ard. 

As  we  entered,  that  strange  old  rascal  was  at 
the  table  with  Hicks,  engaged  in  a  most  peculiar 
game.  The  cloth  was  divided  up  into  squares  like 
a  checker-board,  and  from  opposite  sides  the  two 
were  hard  at  it,  and  paid  no  attention  to  Hawkson's 
entrance.  In  a  short  time  I  found  that  "  beef  was 
king,"  that  is,  a  plate  with  meat  upon  it  could  jump 
a  dish  of  bread  or  cup  of  coffee,  as  with  checkers, 
the  person  losing  not  having  any  more  of  that  victual 
for  the  meal.  While  they  played,  they  ate  from 
whatever  dishes  they  could  reach,  and  were  so  ab- 

135 


BLCK.  BA 


sorbed  that  it  was  not  until  Hicks  jumped  the  old 
man's  plate  of  sliced  pineapple  with  a  chunk  of 
salt  beef  that  the  old  villain  turned  and  noticed  us. 
Then  he  surlily  demanded  what  was  wanted. 

Whether  it  was  the  loss  of  his  fruit  or  memory 
of  the  last  night's  occurrence  that  oppressed  him, 
it  was  hard  to  tell,  but  his  mask-like  face  showed 
no  feeling.  He  bade  Hawkson  stand  us  against 
the  cabin  bulkhead,  and  called  Watkins  to  hand  him 
pistols. 

The  old  steward  obeyed  with  alacrity,  for  it  was 
only  too  evident  what  he  wanted  them  for.  Hicks, 
however,  burst  forth  into  a  laugh. 

"Hold  on,  Captain  Howard,"  said  he.  "You 
forget  this  isn't  exactly  a  pirate  ship.  Bless  your 
old  heart,  you  would  pistol  them  both." 

"  And  I  will,"  said  the  old  villain,  cocking  back 
the  flints  of  the  weapons. 

He  had  formerly  had  the  playful  habit  of  loosing 
off  one  or  both  of  his  pistols  under  the  table,  to 
suddenly  emphasize  an  after-dinner  argument,  and 
the  rough  habits  of  his  early  days  stuck  to  him, 
only  now  the  weapons  appeared  above  the  board. 
The  game  of  grub,  I  learned,  was  one  he  had  prac 
tised  with  his  mates  in  the  old  days  when  the  gam 
bling  habit  had  taken  so  strong  hold  upon  him  he 
must  play  at  something. 

Hicks,  however,  would  hear  of  no  such  thing 
136 


as  shooting  us  without  trial.  The  captain's  will, 
he  admitted,  was  law,  but  we  were  in  an  English 
harbour  and  not  on  the  high  seas,  and  such  action 
might  cause  endless  trouble  if  the  governor  heard 
of  it.  Hawkson  also  urged  the  necessity  of  care 
for  the  sake  of  the  voyage,  and  indeed  he  appeared 
somewhat  worried  about  the  matter  until  the  pistols 
were  finally  laid  aside  and  our  case  taken  up. 

Tim  was  asked  if  he  had  anything  to  say  why 
the  sentence  of  death  should  not  be  pronounced 
upon  him.  It  would  be  fulfilled,  with  the  govern 
or's  permission,  sometime  that  day.  He  had  ad 
mitted  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses,  who  swore 
they  had  seen  him  wound  Renshaw. 

He  was  silent  and  hung  his  head.  Then  he  raised 
it  and  stood  straight  before  them. 

"  I  don't  mind  the  sentence,"  said  he,  "  but  I  do 
mind  it  coming  from  such  as  you." 

"  You  may  gag  and  take  him  forward,"  said 
Howard.  "  He  shall  be  blown  from  a  gun." 

He  was  led  away,  and  they  turned  to  me. 

What  had  I  to  say?  Well,  I  had  considerable, 
and  I  told  at  some  length  how  I  had  nothing  what 
ever  to  do  with  Tim's  case. 

"  You  may  drop  him  overboard  with  a  shot  to 
each  foot,"  said  Howard,  as  I  finished.  "  Call  away 
the  gig,  Mr.  Hawkson.  I'll  go  over  to  the  gov 
ernor's  before  he  gets  too  warm  to  see  any  one." 

137    ' 


The  whole  scene,  the  entire  lack  of  feeling,  the 
disposing  of  our  cases  as  though  we  were  simply 
niggers,  made  an  impression  upon  me  that  can 
hardly  be  described.  Then  the  old  pirate  turned  to 
his  meal  as  though  nothing  had  happened,  and  fin 
ished  his  coffee,  while  I  was  led  forward. 

"  Keep  a  stiff  neck,  Heywood,"  said  the  old  pri- 
vateersman,  as  we  came  on  deck.  "  I  believe  you're 
all  right.  I've  heard  something  of  this  Renshaw 
before.  He's  a  feller  of  title,  ye  know,  an',  if  it 
wasn't  for  that,  I  could  save  the  little  red-headed 
feller,  too.  But  Sir  John  will  insist  on  one  o'  ye 
goin'.  Blow  the  little  chap  from  a  gun?  I'll  see 
he  hears  more  o'  your  story,  an',  if  worse  comes 
from  it,  I'll  —  well,  never  mind.  There's  plenty 
o'  time  between  now  and  when  the  old  man  sees 
the  governor.  He  won't  do  anything  without  per 
mission  in  port." 

"  Don't  take  any  trouble  on  my  account,"  I  said, 
angrily.  "  I've  tried  to  clear  fair  enough,  and  would 
have  gone  but  for  Tim  meeting  his  wife.  I'd  as 
soon  stand  in  front  as  behind  the  guns  of  a  sla 


ver." 


'*  You'll  never  have  sense  enough  to  stand  any 
where,  an'  that's  a  fact,"  growled  Hawkson.  "  A 
good  ship,  a  good  crew,  and  plenty  of  profit  in  sight. 
D — n  you,  Heywood,  I've  a  notion  to  take  you  at 
your  word." 

138 


BLACK-  BARUE 


His  fierce  eyes  held  an  evil  light  that  I  knew  boded 
no  good,  and  his  ugly  mouth  worked  convulsively, 
showing  his  teeth.  I  was  aware  my  case  was  not 
one  to  trifle  with  too  freely,  and  concluded  I  would 
hold  my  tongue.  He  left  me  with  an  ugly  sneer,  and 
I  went  below  attended  by  Mr.  Gull,  who  eyed  me 
savagely,  and  hustled  me  with  such  energy  that  I 
turned  upon  him. 

"  You  want  to  bear  a  hand  and  remember  that 
a  live  sailor  is  worth  a  couple  of  fool  slavers,"  said 
L  "  It'll  pay  you  to  be  a  bit  more  careful,  Mr. 
Gull." 

"  Shut  up!  "  he  answered,  and  hitched  my  shackle 
to  the  ceiling.  Then  he  turned  and  left  me  without 
another  word,  while  I  cursed  freely  and  fluently, 
with  as  much  bitterness  as  a  man  can  express  in 
language. 

It  was  very  dark,  and  I  knew  nothing  of  what 
was  going  on  above,  although  I  noticed  as  I  crossed 
the  deck  that  the  fore  and  main  topsails  were  hang 
ing  up  by  their  clews,  all  ready  to  sheet  home,  and 
above  them  the  royals  were  also  hanging  loose. 
From  this  I  gathered  that  there  would  be  a  start 
made  very  soon,  and  even  as  I  wondered  at  our 
probable  destination,  I  heard  the  distant  clank  and 
rattle  of  the  windlass.  Then  I  recognized  the  Doc 
tor's  voice  bawling  the  old  refrain  : 


139 


&fcS>THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

"  Dey's  trouble  ob-hyer,  an'  dey's  trouble  ober  dar, 
An'  I  really  do  believe  dat  dey's  trouble  ebbywhar  — 
Trouble  —  trouble  —  " 

And  I  knew  the  mates  were  working  the  liquor  out 
of  his  black  hide. 

Soon  the  anchor  was  short,  and  then  silence 
reigned  for  a  time,  broken  only  by  the  scurrying 
of  a  ship's  rat  across  the  empty  hold. 

How  oppressive  the  bilge  heat  was,  and  how 
rank  the  stench  of  the  hold!  The  barque  had  evi 
dently  been  built  at  a  time  when  salting  ships  had 
not  come  into  fashion,  and  her  old  timbers  stunk. 
I  tried  to  think  of  the  events  of  yesterday,  and  won- 
clered  what  had  become  of  poor  Tim.  I  feared  they 
would  give  him  the  full  penalty,  for,  although  Ren- 
shaw  was  a  notorious  adventurer,  he  was  interested 
in  the  craft,  and  was  a  friend  of  Hicks. 

His  position,  also,  called  for  summary  vengeance 
upon  a  common  sailor,  even  though  that  sailor  was 
an  American. 

In  my  case,  however,  the  affair  was  different. 
I  had  done  nothing  to  either  aid  or  abet  Tim  in  his 
assault.  I  was  deserting,  and  had  admitted  that, 
but  I  knew  nothing  of  the  other  affair  that  had 
ended  so  uncomfortably  and  caused  our  arrest. 
Hawkson  knew  this  well  enough,  and  it  was  with 
him  my  fate  rested.  He  might  save  me  from  a  hang 
ing  yet, 

140 


ARQUE 


I  stood  wondering  when  and  how  the  case  would 
be  settled,  and  was  very  hot  and  tired,  but  the 
shackle  would  not  allow  me  to  either  sit  or  lie  down 
upon  the  deck.  The  pain  caused  by  the  strain  upon 
my  wrists  was  intense,  and  I  swore  loudly  at  the 
men  who  had  forced  me  into  the  cursed  ship. 

Suddenly  I  thought  I  heard  a  laugh.  I  strained 
my  eyes  in  the  direction  whence  it  came,  and  soon 
made  out  a  shape  sitting  upon  the  lower  step  of 
the  ladder  leading  on  deck.  It  chuckled  and  grunted 
for  some  minutes,  and  I  wondered  what  it  was,  when 
it  rose,  and  I  made  out  the  figure  of  Watkins. 

The  old  steward  came  over  and  stood  looking 
with  a  hideous  sneer  upon  his  face.  The  light  was 
enough  to  see  each  outline  of  his  features,  for  my 
eyes  were  now  accustomed  to  the  gloom,  and  the 
hatch  let  in  a  small  ray  of  sunshine  through  the 
crack  of  the  slide. 

"  You  seem  devilishly  well  pleased,  Noah,"  said 
I,  with  as  much  composure  as  I  could  muster. 

He  made  no  reply,  but  came  close  to  me,  and, 
leaning  forward,  as  if  about  to  whisper  something 
in  my  ear,  he  seized  that  member  in  his  teeth  and 
bit  it  slowly.  The  pain  was  intense,  and  I  roared 
out,  wiggling  to  free  myself  '  from  the  monster, 
but  he  held  on  for  many  minutes. 

I  was  fairly  sick  with  pain,  but  the  old  fellow 
failed  to  notice  that  my  legs  were  not  ironed.  As 


B  BARE 


I  was  unable  to  move,  he  had  doubtless  supposed 
they  were  shackled. 

With  what  remaining  strength  I  had  left,  I  kicked 
him,  and  by  excellent  luck  landed  full  upon  his 
stomach.  He  gave  a  grunt  and  doubled  up  like 
a  pocket-knife,  falling  away  from  me  and  lying 
motionless  upon  the  deck. 

I  mentally  prayed  I  had  killed  him,  and  bawled 
at  the  top  of  my  voice  for  Hawkson  and  Gull  to 
come  below.  I  might  just  as  well  have  saved  my 
breath,  for  not  a  sound  could  reach  the  main-deck, 
where  they  would  evidently  be  at  that  time  of  day. 
I  tried  to  ease  my  ear  a  bit  by  pressing  my  shoulder 
against  the  wound. 

After  a  time  that  seemed  an  age,  the  pain  let 
up  a  little.  I  looked  at  the  form  upon  the  deck 
before  me,  and  saw  it  move  and  then  rise  and  again 
come  toward  me. 

"  You  old  cannibal,"  I  cried,  "  if  ever  I  get  clear 
of  these  irons,  I'll  cut  you  to  ribbons  for  this." 

"  If  ever  you  do,  you  may,"  he  hissed.  "  How 
would  you  like  to  shake  hands  on  that."  And  he 
seized  my  irons  behind  my  back,  keeping  to  one 
side  from  my  kicks,  and  he  twisted  until  I  almost 
fainted  with  agony.  I  roared  and  bawled  and  strug 
gled,  but  to  no  purpose.  I  could  not  shake  the 
horrible  old  creature  off.  Just  when  I  thought  I 
could  stand  the  pain  no  longer,  and  I  verily  believe 

142 


ARQUE 


the  fiend  intended  to  kill  me,  the  hatch  was  opened, 
and  the  carpenter  came  down  the  ladder  with  an 
armful  of  chains. 

Instantly  Watkins  sprang  away  and  disappeared, 
leaving  me  calling  for  the  fellow  Jorg  to  lend  me 
a  hand  and  keep  the  rascal  off. 

Jorg  came  stolidly  below,  and  began  shackling 
his  chains  to  the  ring-bolts,  paying  no  more  atten 
tion  to  me  than  to  a  man  raving  in  delirium.  He 
looked  at  me  curiously  and  shook  his  head. 

"  Youse'll  get  over  it,  friend  John,  in  a  day  or 
two,"  he  said,  and  went  on  deck. 


143 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

SIR   JOHN   AND   MISS   ALLEN 

WHILE  I  stood  there,  sweating  in  the  heat  and 
pain  below,  expecting  the  reappearance  of  the  old 
steward,  I  heard  the  windlass  at  work  again,  and 
faint  cries  as  of  men  straining  up  the  topsails. 

Suddenly  I  recognized  Hawkson's  voice  near  the 
main-hatch,  and  a  moment  later  the  section  was 
slid  aside  and  he  came  below. 

"  Get  me  out  of  this !  "  I  roared  at  him,  as  he 
came  up.  "  Get  me  out,  or  there'll  be  murder 
aboard." 

"Steady,  steady!  D'ye  expect  me  to  turn  ye 
loose  when  ye  talk  of  murder?  Sink  ye,  Heywood! 
what's  come  over  ye,  anyways?" 

"  If  you're  the  man  you  claim  to  be,"  I  said,  hotly, 
"  turn  my  hands  loose,  and  stand  before  me  for 
ten  minutes.  Only  ten  minutes,  Hawkson,  and,  if 
I  don't  kill  you,  you  may  eat  me  alive.  You  may 
choose  any  weapon,  and  I'll  take  my  bare  —  " 

"  Tut,  tut,  what  kind  o'  hysteria  is  this?    What'd 
144 


AE 


I  want  t'eat  ye  alive  for?  Sink  ye  for  a  crazy  boy! 
who'd  eat  a  tough  youngster  like  you,  boy?  What 
__  well  —  oh,  ho!" 

He  had  come  close  to  me,  and  had  noticed  my 
ear.  Then  he  chuckled  in  his  quiet  way,  his  ugly 
face  working  with  amusement. 

"  Yes,"  I  said,  "  that's  the  old  steward's  doings, 
and  he'll  probably  come  back  to  finish  me." 

"  Well,  well,  oh,  ho,  ho!  "  he  laughed.  "  Didn't 
I  tell  you  the  old  fellow  would  try  his  hand  on  you  ? 
But  it's  a  trifle;  stand  clear." 

Here  he  loosened  the  irons,  and  I  stood  forth, 
rubbing  my  sore  wrists  that  were  now  partly  para 
lyzed  by  being  held  so  long. 

"  It's  all  right.  Go  up  on  deck  and  lend  a  hand, 
as  soon  as  you  get  your  head  cleared  up.  Mind  ye, 
now,  it  was  a  rat  that  bit  ye,  understand?  Don't 
make  any  more  trouble.  If  ye  want  to  kill  the 
steward,  do  it  some  other  time.  I  had  hard  work 
savin'  ye,  an'  I  don't  want  any  more  trouble." 

I  went  forward,  and,  after  bathing  my  sore  ear, 
I  went  on  deck  in  time  to  see  the  last  of  Nassau. 

The  sun  was  shining  brightly  and  the  air  was 
hot,  but  the  trade-  wind  was  fresh,  and  we  went  to 
sea  at  a  rapid  rate  under  royals.  Bill  asked  me 
where  I  had  been,  and  Martin  stopped  me  to  make 
some  remark  of  the  wild  day  before,  but  neither 
appeared  to  know  what  had  happened,  save  that 

145 


every  one  had  gotten  very  drunk.  Tim  was  not 
aboard,  and  I  never  saw  him  again.  He  had  dis 
appeared,  and  nothing  but  his  broken  irons  were 
left  to  tell  of  his  departure.  The  bos'n,  however, 
was  on  watch,  and  he  spoke  vaguely  afterward  about 
a  small  boat  coming  alongside  with  a  woman  in 
it.  Just  what  part  Richards  had  played  in  the  game, 
it  was,  of  course,  impossible  to  find  out,  but  before 
long  I  knew  that  Tim  and  his  family  had  made  a 
voyage  across  the  Florida  channel  in  a  small  boat, 
and  had  probably  succeeded  in  evading  pursuit. 
No  further  notice  of  the  affair  was  taken  by  the 
officers  aft  for  reasons  better  known  to  themselves, 
and  Renshaw  chose  to  remain  ashore,  taking  no 
further  interest'  in  the  enterprise. 

It  was  now  evident  that  we  had  started  on  our 
voyage  for  blacks,  and  that  escape  from  the  barque 
was  impossible.  I  was  angry  enough,  but  remem 
bered  that  desertion  merited  some  roughness,  and, 
upon  the  whole,  I  had  been  pretty  well  treated. 

Henry  gave  me  a  furtive  look  from  his  ferret 
eyes  as  I  passed  him  on  deck.  He  had  done  no 
more  than  his  duty  in  chasing  me,  and  I,  therefore, 
bore  him  no  malice  because  he  had  been  successful. 
It  was  several  days  before  he  would  trust  himself 
near  me,  however,  and  kept  his  eyes  busy  as  we 
went  about  the  vessel  attending  to  our  various  oc 
cupations. 

146 


E 


The  day  was  perfect  for  navigating  the  reef,  and, 
as  my  hands  were  badly  used  up,  I  spent  much  time 
forward,  watching  the  shoals  and  banks,  that  were 
distinctly  visible  under  five  or  six  fathoms  of  water. 
We  could  run  in  this,  and  at  such  a  depth,  with 
the  sun  shining,  a  very  small  object  could  be  seen 
upon  the  coral  bottom.  Yankee  Dan  and  his  daugh 
ter  were  upon  the  poop  with  Hicks  and  Howard. 
The  girl  was  to  go  with  us  as  far  as  St.  Helena  on 
our  voyage  to  Africa. 

Mr.  Gull  had  volunteered  this  much  information, 
and  the  men  were  somewhat  curious  in  their  gaze 
aft. 

The  passengers  took  no  notice  of  this,  but  spent 
the  afternoon  watching  the  reef  or  bank,  the  young 
girl  being  much  entertained  by  the  various  sights 
upon  the  bottom. 

In  the  afternoon  I  went  upon  the  poop  to  clean 
the  guns  and  otherwise  attend  them,  and  the  young 
lady  gave  me  a  nod  of  recognition.  She  evidently 
remembered  that  shot,  for  I  found  out  afterward 
it  had  cost  her  father  a  pretty  sum,  and  for  a  time 
it  looked  as  if  there  would  be  no  slaver  cleared  at 
Nassau. 

The  governor,  however,  compromised  on  a  hand 
some  fee  for  damages,  as  the  shot  had  plunged 
clear  through  his  parlour,  leaving  only  a  small  hole 
in  both  walls  to  mark  its  passage.  How  much  of 


THE  BLACK-  BARQUE 

this  fee  found  its  way  into  Howard's  pocket,  it  was 
hard  to  determine,  but  he  evidently  was  not  for 
gotten.  The  affair  was  not  alluded  to  again  except 
among  the  men. 

Hicks  scowled  at  me,  but  said  nothing,  and  then 
I  kept  close  watch  upon  him,  as  he  appeared  to 
still  bear  me  some  malice  for  having  been  present 
at  Renshaw's  mishap.  He  was  a  bold  and  unscru 
pulous  rascal,  and  would  have  taken  a  lively  inter 
est  in  my  jump  over-side,  had  they  insisted  on  it, 
with  a  shot  to  each  foot.  His  manner  toward  the 
young  girl  irritated  me  also,  for,  while  I'm  far  from 
being  a  priest,  yet  there  is  a  certain  respect  for 
young  women  every  honest  sailor  has,  and  which 
was  apparently  entirely  absent  in  this  man's  manner. 
They  were  evidently  talking  of  Renshaw,  for  I 
heard  Hicks  mention  his  name  sadly  in  connection 
with  the  dishonourable  affair  at  the  card-table  that 
had  caused  his  abandonment  by  people  of  his  own 
class. 

"  I  see,"  said  Miss  Allen,  "  cheating  over  a  game 
of  cards  is  highly  wrong,  but  cheating  a  man  out 
of  his  wife's  affections  is  highly  commendable.  A 
strange  code  of  morals  you  Englishmen  have.  In 
your  class,  perhaps,  the  money  is  more  valuable. 
Is  that  it?" 

"  Whatever  his  sins  were,  let  us  not  judge  them," 
said  Hicks.  "  As  for  the  class  you  speak  of,  I  can 


BLACK.  BARQUE  «&>» 

only  answer  that  a  wife's  affections  are  valued  by 
most  men  according  to  the  wife.  Don't  you  think 
a  woman  has  pretty  much  the  same  gauge  to  meas 
ure  by?  "  And,  as  he  spoke,  he  leaned  toward  her, 
looking  her  straight  in  the  eyes  until  she  flushed 
crimson. 

"  I  have  broken  all  of  the  ten  commandments 
for  women,"  said  Hicks,  slowly,  still  keeping  his 
gaze  fixed  upon  her,  "  and  I  would  break  them  all 
gladly  for  the  woman  I  love." 

"  A  self-confessed  saint !  "  she  answered,  some 
what  uneasily. 

"  Well,  slaving  is  not  the  least  of  my  ambitions," 
said  he,  carelessly.  "  Perhaps  you  think  there  is 
nothing  in  running  a  cargo  of  blacks?  It  may  be 
there's  little,  but,  if  we  were  overhauled  with  your 
father  aboard  and  a  crowd  below,  even  '  trading  * 
would  not  appear  an  innocent  occupation." 

"  I  know  it,  but  what  can  I  do?  Do  you  sup 
pose  I  think  everything  that  papa  does  is  right  ?  " 

"  I  would  hardly  accuse  you  of  such  lack  of 
judgment,"  said  Hicks,  laughing  and  glancing  at 
Howard  and  her  father  in  conversation  near  the 
break  of  the  poop. 

"  But  because  papa  does  strange  things,  you 
needn't  think  I  believe  they  are  good,"  she  said, 
with  some  feeling.  "  As  for  slavery,  it's  only  wrong 
in  the  abstract.  How  could  the  poor  blacks  look 

149 


out  for  themselves?  They  must  be  taken  care  of. 
What  on  earth  would  we  do  without  servants  ?  " 

"  I  was  not  trying  to  convince  you  that  you  were 
a  desperate  pirate,"  said  Hicks,  still  laughing. 
"  Only  to  show  you  what  a  saint  had  the  pleasure 
of  talking  to  you.  When  you  have  lived  with  me 
a  time,  you'll  realize  it  better  —  " 

"  When  what  ?  "   she  exclaimed. 

"  When  weVe  been  married  a  few  seasons, 
you'll  —  " 

"  When  is  a  good  word,"  she  said,  angrily. 
"  How  dare  you  speak  to  me  like  that,  Sir  John  !  " 

"  I  dare  much  more,"  he  answered,  quietly,  his 
handsome  face  setting  into  an  expression  of  grim 
determination,  "  but  this  is  hardly  the  place  to  de 
clare  it." 

I  thought  it  was  about  time  for  me  to  leave  that 
vicinity,  and  I  strapped  the  vent-cover  on  the  gun 
I  was  attending  to  ostentatiously,  and  started  for 
ward.  Hicks  never  gave  me  even  a  passing  glance, 
but,  as  I  went  forward,  I  heard  steps  sounding  upon 
the  companionway  aft,  and,  turning  for  a  moment, 
I  beheld  the  head  and  shoulders  of  Mr.  Curtis 
emerging  from  the  cabin.  He  looked  a  moment  at 
Hicks  and  the  girl,  and  then  went  over  to  where 
they  stood,  near  the  taffrail,  while  I  joined  the  watch 
on  the  main-deck. 

As  I  went  down  the  lee  steps,  I  caught  a  glimpse 
150 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


of  Watkins  in  the  cabin,  making  a  grimace  I  could 
hardly  fail  to  understand.  He  was  out  of  reach, 
and  I  could  only  stop  and  curse  him,  until  Mr.  Gull 
came  out  and  asked  me  what  was  the  matter.  Then 
I  turned  and  lent  Bill  and  Martin  a  hand  at  the 
weather  main-brace,  for  we  had  gotten  well  clear 
of  the  bank,  and  were  running  off  to  the  westward 
on  our  course  for  the  other  side. 


151 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  BARQUE  HAS  ILL  LUCK 

I  NOW  come  to  that  part  of  the  narrative  which 
deals  with  the  turning-point  of  our  luck  on  this 
cruise. 

Since  Renshaw's  leaving  left  much  of  the  influ 
ence  to  be  desired  out  of  the  enterprise,  Mr.  Curtis 
began  to  feel  anxious  about  his  responsibility  in 
the  matter.  It  is  true  the  gentleman  was  an  out 
cast  from  his  own  people,  but  he  was  a  nobleman, 
for  all  that,  and  the  governor  of  New  Providence 
would  be  much  influenced  by  him.  It  might  be 
necessary  to  have  a  friend  at  hand  in  case  something 
unpleasant  turned  up,  especially  as  the  laws  gov 
erning  slaves  were  becoming  more  and  more  strict. 

The  bos'n  was  suspected  in  having  aided  Tim 
to  escape  from  the  barque.  At  any  rate,  he  was 
responsible  for  him.  He  was  an  American  also, 
and  often  when  the  seaman  would  come  upon  the 
poop,  Curtis  would  find  some  harsh  word  to  say 
to  him.  Afterward  he  would  complain  to  Howard 

152 


BLACK.  BARUE 


so  bitterly  at  the  bos'n's  insolence  that  the  old  cap 
tain  began  to  experience  some  of  the  landsman's  bad 
temper. 

The  discipline  of  the  ship  had  been  good,  save 
for  the  incidents  of  the  run  on  the  beach.  Now 
the  real  cruise  had  begun  and  there  was  no  more 
chance  for  desertion,  the  strictest  laws  of  a  war 
ship  were  easy  in  comparison  to  those  enforced. 

This  put  much  work  upon  Richards,  and  began 
to  make  unnecessary  friction  between  him  and  the 
men.  Between  the  hard  feeling  caused  by  Curtis 
aft,  and  the  steady  grumbling  of  such  men  as  Mar 
tin  and  some  of  his  followers  forward,  the  bos'n 
began  to  have  an  unpleasant  time  of  it,  and  a  most 
desperate  affray  was  averted  on  several  occasions 
only  by  his  steadiness  and  coolness  of  temper. 

One  day  the  bos'n  was  called  to  attend  to  some 
repairs  on  the  wheel-ropes. 

Mr.  Curtis  saw  him,  and  either  inadvertently  or 
deliberately  jostled  him  as  he  came  along  the  poop. 
Hawkson  saw  the  affair,  and  hastened  to  avert 
trouble,  but  was  too  late.  Curtis  very  foolishly 
kicked  the  bos'n  savagely  and  swore  at  him  before 
all  the  men  of  the  watch  on  deck.  Richards,  true 
to  his  creed,  lashed  out  most  vigorously,  and  knocked 
the  landsman  half-way  across  the  deck  before  Hawk- 
son  caught  him.  It  was  only  Hawkson's  steadiness 
of  purpose  that  prevented  a  general  mix-up  on 

153 


BLACK.  BARE 


board,  for  Curtis  insisted  upon  the  sailor  being 
flogged.  Richards  swore  he  would  kill  the  man 
who  laid  hands  on  him,  and,  as  he  had  several 
friends  forward,  including  myself,  who  would  have 
stood  by  him,  and  as  he  had  the  chief  officer  aft, 
there  was  a  deal  of  trouble  before  anything  like 
order  prevailed.  When  the  outfly  was  patched  up 
by  Yankee  Dan  and  Sir  John,  who  saw  the  danger 
of  such  affairs,  there  was  no  longer  anything  like 
smoothness  again.  The  bos'n  never  attempted  to 
give  an  order,  and  went  about  his  duties  with  a 
set  smile,  which  I  tried  to  fathom  on  several  occa 
sions  and  received  a  cold  silence  for  my  pains.  Then 
I  knew  trouble  was  coming,  and  prepared  for  it, 
caring  little,  however,  just  when  and  in  what  shape 
it  would  appear. 

For  a  day  or  two  we  dragged  slowly  over  the 
blue  water.  The  royals  would  pull  a  bit  in  the  light 
air,  but  our  wake  was  not  a  long  one. 

On  the  third  day,  I  was  cleaning  the  forward 
gun  to  windward,  gazing  over  the  beautiful  calm 
water.  To  the  southward  the  deepening  blue  of 
the  sky  seemed  to  show  in  peculiar  contrast  to  the 
ocean,  and,  while  I  gazed  over  the  vast  distance, 
the  water  streaked  and  darkened  under  the  light 
draughts.  The  royals  came  to  the  masts  every  now 
and  then,  when  the  breeze  died  almost  entirely,  and 


154 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


flapped  gently,  coming  full  again  as  the  barque 
swung  herself  to  windward  on  the  swell. 

Miss  Allen  was  on  the  poop  with  Mr.  Curtis, 
and  that  saturnine  young  man,  Hicks,  was  standing 
aft  gazing  at  them  with  an  expression  far  from  pleas 
ant  upon  his  handsome  face. 

I  became  aware  of  a  low,  vibrant,  wailing  mur 
mur  coming  out  of  the  sunlit  void  to  the  south'ard. 
It  was  like  the  cry  I  had  heard  before  and  had  had 
such  an  effect  upon  poor  Tim. 

Yankee  Dan's  daughter  evidently  heard  it,  for 
she  straightened  up  and  listened,  gazing  steadily 
to  windward.  As  the  cry  rose  and  fell,  dying  away 
as  the  breeze  increased,  it  thrilled  me  through  and 
through. 

"What's  the  matter?"  asked  Henry,  who  had 
come  up  and  noticed  my  intense  look. 

"Don't  you  hear  it?"  I  asked. 

"  S'pose  Hi  do;  it's  nothin'.  Have  ye  cooled 
off?" 

It  was  the  first  time  he  had  spoken  directly  to  me 
since  the  affair  with  the  hounds,  and  I  took  it  for 
an  overture  of  friendship. 

"  If  you  squeeze  my  hand,  I'll  brain  you,"  I  said, 
and  held  it  out.  He  took  it,  smiling. 

"  What  made  ye  bolt,  anyways  ?  "  he  asked.  "  Hi 
could  git  ye  anywheres  on  that  island.  Hi  had  to 
pay  fer  that  dog  ye  killed,  too." 

155 


BLACK.  BARUE 


He  seated  himself  beside  me,  as  it  was  nearly 
eight  bells,  and  we  talked  a  few  minutes,  he  describ 
ing  the  amusement  caused  by  the  two  hounds  loosed 
into  the  room  of  Thunderbo's  dance-hall. 

"  'Twas  a  fine  sight,  Heywood,  to  see  that  blood 
hound  grab  the  conch  by  the  heel.  If  Hi  hadn't 
stopped  there  to  laugh  it  out,  Hi  wud  ha'  bust  wide 
open.  There  he  was  hanging  out  the  window,  with 
Jones  a-pullin'  one  way  an'  the  dog  the  other,  while 
the  Doctor  whanged  him  over  the  buttocks  as  they 
stretched  'im  over  the  sill." 

I  felt  little  like  laughing,  although  the  scene  of 
confusion  must  have  been  amusing  to  an  uninter 
ested  spectator.  Had  he  taken  us  sooner,  the  other 
affair  would  not  have  followed. 

"  I  cud  'a'  taken  ye,  but  Hi  had  to  laugh  at  that 
conch,"  explained  Henry.  "  What  d'yer  s'pose 
makes  my  fingers  so  big,  anyways?" 

"  Poking  them  in  other  people's  business,"  said  I. 

"  An'  that's  a  fact,"  he  answered.  "  Poking 
them  in  other  people's  business.  Man,  I  was  chief 
garroter  in  Havana  onct,  an'  I  'as  strangled  more 
men  than  there  is  in  this  ship.  Hi  'av'  been  a 
detective  an'  a  executioner  both.  That's  how  I 
know  how  to  handle  dogs.  Save  ye,  Heywood,  d'ye 
suppose  Hawkson  would  'a'  let  you  fellows  loose 
ashore  ef  he  didn't  know  Hi'd  bring  ye  back  all 
standin',  as  the  sayin*  is?" 


Henry  had  never  appeared  prepossessing  to  me, 
and  now  his  statement  as  to  his  vocation  did  little 
to  draw  him  nearer.  On  the  contrary,  he  noticed 
my  look  of  disgust  and  wonder,  as  I  scanned  his 
huge  fingers. 

"  Never  mind,"  he  said,  with  a  grin,  "  'tain't 
likely  they'll  be  used  on  you,  though  Hi  closed  'em 
onct  on  the  old  man's  neck  when  he  was  taken 
fer  cuttin'  out  them  Spanish  wood-hunters  in  the 
Isle  o'  Pines.  They  let  him  go  just  in  time.  Now 
they  use  a  screw,  for  there  ain't  been  a  man  there 
since  as  c'u'd  do  the  trick  wid  his  fingers,  —  an' 
old  Howard  insisted  that  Hi  must  stick  to  him  for 
a  lucky  boy." 

While  he  talked,  I  noticed  the  barque  gave  a 
sudden  heave  of  much  greater  inclination  than  usual. 
She  seemed  to  take  a  new  motion,  as  though  a  swell 
from  the  westward  had  rolled  up  against  the  trade 
swell.  I  looked  over  the  side,  and  noticed  a  long 
heave  to  the  sea  setting  at  a  sharp  angle  to  the 
slight  rise  and  fall  we  had  been  riding.  Henry  saw 
it  also,  and  gazed  to  the  south'ard. 

Far  away  on  the  horizon  a  dim  haziness  seemed 
forming  in  the  otherwise  cloudless  sky.  I  looked 
aft  in  time  to  see  Howard  come  up  the  companion 
and  gaze  around  the  horizon.  Then  he  said  some 
thing  to  Hawkson,  who  had  also  appeared,  and  the 
old  mate  came  to  the  break  of  the  poop. 

157 


B 


"  Take  in  them  royals,"  he  called  to  the  watch 
on  deck,  and  the  men,  who  were  expecting  to  hear 
eight  bells  struck  and  dinner  announced,  had  a  job. 
Henry  sprang  up  and  went  aft. 

"  T'gallants'ls,"  said  Hawkson,  laconically. 

I  pulled  on  the  gun-cover,  and  had  already  gotten 
it  fast  when  the  order  came  to  clew  up  the  main 
sail.  Then,  as  I  had  to  go  aloft  with  the  rest,  I 
joined  Bill  and  Ernest  in  the  weather  main-rigging. 

"  Fallin'  glass,"  said  Bill.  "  I  youst  heard  the 
mate  tell  Henry.  Ole  Richards  looks  worried. 
Didn't  think  he'd  take  that  interest,  hey?" 

We  rolled  the  sail  up  in  short  order,  keeping  an 
eye  on  the  poop,  where  Howard  was  now  squinting 
away  at  the  sun  with  his  sextant. 

"  Eight  bells,"  came  his  hoarse  croak,  and  a  Nor 
wegian  struck  them  off  loudly. 

"  Roll  up  the  spanker  an'  foresail,"  came  the  or 
der,  and,  instead  of  getting  dinner,  the  watch  turned 
out  with  the  rest,  and  all  hands  were  kept  busy. 
Then  came  the  topsails,  and  finally  we  reefed  the 
fore  and  main  topsails,  the  barque  rolling  log-wise 
in  a  very  uneasy  roll  that  came  quickly  from  the 
south'ard. 

It  was  one  bell  before  we  were  allowed  on  deck, 
and  then,  all  tired  and  hot,  we  scattered  for  cool 
places  to  eat  the  deferred  meal. 

Hardly  had  we  finished  than  a  cool,  clammy  mist 
158 


spread  itself  over  the  ocean,  and  a  good  breeze  began 
blowing  from  the  north'ard.  The  sun  appeared 
like  a  copper  ball,  and  as  it  dimmed  the  breeze  in 
creased.  The  swell  now  began  running  with  a 
tremendous  heave  from  the  southwest,  and  the 
barque  rolled  her  channels  under.  All  hands  were 
kept  on  deck. 

The  black  Doctor  had  just  gathered  the  last  of 
the  forecastle  truck  into  the  galley,  where  the  little 
Dane,  Johnson,  was  allowed  to  clean  them  up,  when 
we  heard  a  deep  moaning  to  the  south'ard.  The 
bank  of  the  mist  seemed  to  grow  thicker.  Then, 
with  a  slow  rising,  droning  roar,  the  hurricane  struck 
the  barque  and  laid  her  over  on  her  side  until  her 
lee  dead-eyes  were  a  foot  below  the  sea. 

How  Miss  Allen  and  Curtis  climbed  down  off  the 
poop,  I  could  never  guess.  The  deep  notes  of  the 
wind  rushing  through  the  rigging  drowned  all  sound 
save  the  cries  of  Hawkson  and  Gull,  who,  hanging 
on  to  the  poop-rail,  bawled  for  the  men  to  man  the 
braces  and  get  the  ship  hove  to. 

It  struck  us  full  upon  the  quarter,  and  nothing 
had  carried  away,  although  the  straining  strips  of 
canvas  aloft  seemed  marvellously  strong  to  with 
stand  that  furious  outfly.  The  sea  was  as  white  as 
a  coral  bank,  looking  as  though  covered  with  a  finely 
drifting  snow,  as  the  wind  swept  the  top  of  the 
ocean  level  and  drove  the  foam  before  it. 

159 


We  were  under  the  shortest  canvas,  and  were 
trying  to  get  her  on  the  wind  before  the  sea  made, 
as  it  was  sure  to  make,  in  a  few  minutes. 

As  we  tailed  on  to  the  topsail-brace,  I  caught  a 
glimpse  of  Richards  and  Yankee  Dan  rolling  the 
wheel  over,  although  the  deck  was  as  steep  as  the 
ship's  sides.  Slowly  the  old  barque  righted  herself, 
as  she  headed  up  within  four  points  of  it,  scooping 
her  main-deck  full  of  water,  some  of  which  found 
its  way  below,  as  the  main-hatch  had  not  been  bat 
tened  or  caulked,  and  the  flood  rolled  over  it  waist- 
deep.  Had  we  been  taken  aback,  the  topmasts  would 
surely  have  gone  overboard  in  that  blast,  for  it 
was  impossible  to  realize  its  tremendous  power. 

I  could  hear  the  captain's  hoarse  croak  from  near 
the  mizzen,  sounding  faintly  in  the  roar  about  us, 
and  I  caught  the  look  of  Big  Jones's  face  as  he 
raised  it  over  the  rail  and  brought  it  back  stream 
ing  with  the  flying  drift  and  gasping  for  breath. 
Then  we  belayed  the  line,  and  started  to  get  all 
yards  sharp  on  the  starboard  tack. 

It  was  desperate  work,  but  it  was  finished  at  last, 
and,  by  the  time  we  had  a  chance  to  breathe  and  look 
about  us,  the  barque  was  riding  into  such  a  sea 
as  seldom  runs  in  the  western  ocean,  her  topsails 
hanging  in  short  ribbons  from  the  jack-stays,  and  a 
gale  thundering  through  her  rigging  that  bid  fair 


1 60 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


to  drive  her  under  by  the  sheer  weight  of  the  wind 
in  it. 

There  was  no  steady  blow.  Sometimes  the  roar 
aloft  would  die  down  for  a  few  minutes,  and  it 
would  seem  as  if  the  weight  of  it  had  passed.  Then 
would  come  a  squall,  snoring  and  roaring,  rising 
up  into  a  wild  chaos  of  sound  that  was  almost  deaf 
ening,  and  the  barque  would  be  laid  upon  her  side 
for  several  minutes  as  it  tore  past. 

Jorg,  with  the  pluck  and  perseverance  of  his  race, 
worked  desperately  at  the  hatches  to  get  them  bat 
tened  down  firmly.  Henry  and  I  managed  to  get  a 
large  timber  over  the  canvas  cover,  and,  lashing  one 
end  fast  to  the  ring-bolt  on  one  side,  we  hove  down 
with  it  until  we  could  get  Richards,  Bill,  Jones,  and 
the  rest  to  pass  a  lashing,  heaving  the  lever  over 
as  tight  as  our  combined  weight  could  make  it  go. 
I  saw  Hawkson  waving  his  hand,  and  crawled  to 
him  along  the  pin-rail. 

"  Go  aft  to  the  wheel,"  he  roared  in  my  ear,  and 
I  climbed  the  poop. 


161 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

AND   STILL  MORE   ILL  -  LUCK 

As  I  crawled  up  the  lee  steps  of  the  poop  of  The 
Gentle  Hand,  I  began  to  believe  it  was  blowing. 
I  could  not  possibly  stand  before  that  blast.  Hold 
ing  to  the  poop-rail,  I  worked  aft  and  relieved 
Yankee  Dan,  who  had  helped  the  man  already  there 
by  taking  the  spokes  to  windward. 

All  about  the  barque  were  the  lowering  banks 
of  scud,  darkening  the  ocean  now  almost  to  night, 
and  flying  with  the  rapidity  of  the  wind.  Above 
was  the  deep  gray  of  the  heavy  pall  of  vapour. 

I  glanced  into  the  binnacle  and  noticed  that  the 
wind  had  already  shifted,  although  it  had  been  blow 
ing  less  than  an  hour.  It  had  become  more  and 
more  squally,  and  the  blasts  roared  down  upon  the 
barque  with  incredible  force.  The  sea  was  ugly, 
but  instead  of  the  great,  rolling  sea  of  the  Cape, 
it  was  a  short,  quick  mass  of  water  that  flung  itself 
with  appalling  force.  High  as  she  was,  The  Gentle 
Hand  took  them  now  and  again  over  the  topgal- 

162 


B 


lant-rail,  and  flooded  her  main-deck  waist-deep. 
Soon  her  lee  bulwarks  tore  away,  letting  the  flood 
have  full  sway  across  and  overboard.  This  eased 
her  a  trifle,  and  we  strove  to  nurse  her  closer  to 
the  wind,  although,  without  canvas,  the  wheel  would 
have  been  as  well  lashed  hard  down. 

For  three  hours  more  she  headed  up  beautifully, 
although  sometimes  the  blasts  would  take  her  to 
leeward  and  whirl  her  head  up  into  the  sea.  Then 
another  would  strike  her  full,  and  off  she  would 
swing  almost  into  the  trough,  while  Hawkson  and 
the  rest  would  struggle  to  get  a  cloth  against  the 
weather  mizzen  ratlines. 

Suddenly,  after  one  wild,  snoring  rush  of  warm 
wind,  it  fell  dead  calm.  The  sea  was  leaping  wildly, 
bursting  over  our  bow  one  moment,  and  then  the 
next  piling  in  amidships  with  a  crash  that  tested 
the  strength  of  the  old  hull.  She  would  seem  to 
settle  under  the  load,  and  once  there  was  nothing 
visible  forward  of  the  break  of  the  poop  save  the, 
end  of  her  t'gallant  forecastle.  The  men  had  to  lay 
aft  and  keep  alive. 

While  the  calm  moments  lasted,  the  air  was  op 
pressively  warm,  and  I  noticed  Hicks  come  from 
behind  the  shelter  of  the  spanker-boom  and  coolly 
light  his  pipe,  although  the  barque  was  rolling  and 
plunging  so  heavily  it  was  hard  to  see  how  he  kept 
his  feet  without  holding  on.  He  made  his  way  ait 

163 


BLACK,  BARUE 


just  as  Mr.  Curtis  emerged  from  the  companion, 
followed  by  Miss  Allen. 

The  barque  was  plunging  wildly,  and  I  had  all 
I  could  do  to  hold  the  wheel-spokes.  Suddenly  I 
heard  a  cry  from  forward.  Captain  Howard  stood 
clear  of  the  mizzen  for  a  moment  and  pointed  aft. 
Over  the  starboard  quarter  a  huge  sea  rose  like  a 
wall,  then  topped  into  a  snoring  comber,  and  flung 
with  the  rush  of  an  avalanche  over  the  poop.  The 
dull,  thunderous  crash  drowned  all  sound,  and  the 
same  instant  I  felt  myself  being  torn  from  the  wheel 
by  the  flood.  Then  I  went  under,  still  holding  on 
with  all  my  strength  to  the  spokes,  but  feeling  them 
dragged  from  my  hands  by  the  prodigious  power 
washing  me  away. 

When  I  came  to  my  senses,  I  was  lying  against 
the  rise  of  the  poop,  where  I  had  brought  up 
doubled  over,  my  body  on  top  and  my  legs  hanging 
in  the  swirl  that  rolled  over  to  leeward.  There  was 
no  one  at  the  wheel.  The  Norwegian  had  gone 
overboard,  and,  as  he  had  probably  struck  heavily 
against  the  spokes,  he  was  doubtless  killed  out 
right. 

I  crawled  back,  gasping  and  driving  the  brine 
from  my  face.  Then  I  remembered  Miss  Allen 
and  her  lover,  Mr.  Curtis,  and  looked  for  them. 

In  the  boiling  foam  of  the  side-wash  a  few 
fathoms  from  the  side,  the  girl's  head,  with  her  hair 

164 


ARUE 


floating  in  tangles,  showed  above  the  white.  She 
was  apparently  swimming,  though  feebly,  for  she 
must  have  been  hurled  far  below  in  the  cataract  that 
poured  to  leeward.  Near  her  was  Mr.  Curtis,  his 
eyes  staring  at  the  ship  and  his  face  expressing 
surprise  and  anxiety.  He  struck  out  for  the  barque, 
and  did  not  help  the  girl  near  him,  or,  in  fact,  give 
her  any  attention  until  he  had  grasped  the  lee  miz- 
zen  channels  as  the  vessel  rolled  down.  Here  he 
drew  himself  up,  and  started  to  coil  a  line  trailing 
overboard  to  throw  to  her.  I  started  to  the  side, 
letting  go  the  wheel,  but  before  I  reached  the  rail, 
I  saw  a  form  plunge  from  the  mizzen  sheer-pole, 
and  in  an  instant  Hicks  rose  to  the  surface  almost 
alongside  the  young  lady.  It  was  boldly  done,  and 
I  caught  the  expression  in  his  eyes  as  he  seized  her 
by  the  shoulder  and  turned  toward  the  ship. 

Hawkson  was  bawling  out  something,  and  I 
turned  in  time  to  feel  the  first  puff  of  a  squall  that 
came  snoring  down  upon  us  with  a  rush  that  made 
every  line  sing  to  the  strain.  In  an  instant  the 
barque  was  laying  over  to  it,  and  as  it  struck  her 
abaft  the  beam  she  started  ahead. 

Hicks  was  now  alongside,  and  Curtis,  aided  by 
Yankee  Dan,  was  helping  the  y9ung  girl  on  deck. 
It  was  a  remarkable  occurrence,  happening  as  it 
did  in  the  centre  of  that  hurricane,  when  the  barque 
was  becalmed  and  without  any  headway.  Other- 

165 


[E  BLAC1LR 

wise  it  would  have  been  a  certain  death  for  any 
one  going  over  the  side.  In  less  than  five  minutes 
the  gale  was  blowing  as  hard  as  ever  from  an  almost 
opposite  point  of  the  compass,  the  squalls  coming 
with  appalling  force,  sending  us  a  good  fifteen  knots 
an  hour,  with  nothing  but  the  bare  yards  aloft  to 
receive  the  pressure. 

Two  men  came  aft  to  relieve  the  wheel,  which  I 
had  rolled  up  with  Mr.  Gull's  help,  and  I  had  a 
few  minutes'  breathing  space,  as  we  tore  along,  the 
men  forward  trimming  in  the  braces  and  squaring 
the  yards  for  a  run  before  it. 

Hicks  stood  upon  the  poop  near  the  mizzen, 
where  he  had  climbed  up,  and  he  gazed  after  Cur 
tis,  who,  with  Yankee  Dan,  half-dragged  and  half- 
carried  Miss  Allen  below.  There  was  a  strange  look 
in  his  eyes,  and  I  saw  him  cursing  in  a  sinister  man 
ner,  though  what  he  said  was  lost  in  the  uproar. 
Then  he  joined  the  captain  at  the  break  of  the  poop, 
where  the  old  man  had  remained,  having  escaped 
the  flood  by  springing  with  the  rest  upon  the 
spanker-boom. 

Sir  John  Hicks  was  a  thorough  rascal,  according 
to  report,  but  somehow  he  showed  up  very  well 
with  Mr.  Curtis,  who  had  been  a  well-known  church 
man  and  piously  inclined  even  to  the  time  he  had 
bought  his  interest  in  The  Gentle  Hand' 

As  for  the  grim  old  villain  in  command,  he  made 
1 66 


no  comment,  but  stood  watching  his  ship  without 
a  trace  of  anxiety  upon  his  mask-like  countenance. 
Even  as  I  watched  him,  he  was  calculating  the  time 
to  swing  her  up  on  the  port  tack  to  keep  afloat  in 
that  cross-sea,  before  which  no  vessel  could  run 
very  long. 

I  could  hardly  help  thinking  then  that  so  much 
nervous  strength  and  control  must  have  a  limit 
sometime.  The  old  fellow  had  been  through  a  good 
deal,  and  certainly  must  have  used  up  much  of  his 
giant  energy  in  earlier  trials.  I  wondered  vaguely 
for  a  few  moments  when  the  time  would  come  when 
his  stoical  indifference  and  cruelty  would  be  used 
up  and  he  become  a  debtor  to  nature.  How  would 
the  old  man  die?  Would  he  be  inscrutable  and 
implacable  to  the  last?  It  would  be  a  matter  of 
physical  force  with  him,  and  he  appeared  pretty 
tough  yet,  ready  for  many  a  rough  fracas,  and  afraid 
of  nothing. 

Yet  I  doubted  whether  his  courage  was  any  finer 
than  some  others  who  were  less  reckless  and  held 
responsibility  as  something  of  value.  He  finally 
gave  the  order  to  Hawkson,  and  the  deep  voice  of 
the  mate  sounded  above  the  booming,  sonorous  roar 
overhead.  A  heavy  tarpaulin  was  lashed  in  the 
mizzen-rigging  on  the  outside,  so  that  the  shrouds 
might  make  a  solid  background  to  hold  it  against 


BLACK,  BARE 


the  blast.  It  was  an  old  hatch-cover,  but  of  heavier 
cloth  than  our  topsail. 

The  wheel  was  rolled  hard  down  just  as  a  heavy 
squall  showed  signs  of  slacking,  and  a  comparative 
smooth  space  showed  to  windward.  The  old  barque 
came  quickly  into  the  trough,  and,  as  she  did  so, 
the  full  force  of  the  hurricane  could  be  felt.  Over 
and  over  she  went  until  her  lee  rail  disappeared 
beneath  the  foam,  while  above  her  towered  a  sea 
that  bade  fair  to  drive  her  under  as  it  fell  aboard. 
She  lay  perfectly  on  end  for  an  instant,  the  deck 
being  absolutely  perpendicular,  and  her  yard-arm 
beneath  the  swirl  to  leeward,  and  the  weight  of  that 
rolling  hill  broke  clear  across,  the  larger  part  of  it 
landing  in  the  sea  to  starboard. 

The  shock  was  terrific.  Both  fore  and  main  top 
masts  went  out  of  her  and  trailed  alongside  in  the 
smother.  There  was  no  sound  save  the  thundering 
crash  of  the  water,  but  as  soon  as  the  men  who 
had  saved  themselves  could  move  from  their  places, 
we  tried  to  save  the  ship.  Hawkson,  Gull,  Henry, 
Richards,  Jones,  Martin,  and  the  rest  made  their 
way  forward  by  holding  to  the  pin-rail,  and  we  cut 
to  clear  away  the  foretopmast  alongside.  All  the 
time  the  barque  was  on  end,  her  hatches  under  water, 
and  the  wild,  booming  snore  of  the  hurricane  roar 
ing  over  her,  sending  cataracts  of  water  over  her 
t'gallant-rail.  By  desperate  work  we  led  the  wreck- 

168 


THE  BLACK,  BARQUE 

age  forward,  and  towed  it  by  a  heavy  line  from  the 
port  cat-head.  This  finally  had  the  effect,  together 
with  the  tarpaulin  aft,  of  pulling  her  head  into  the 
sea,  and  after  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  every  minute 
of  which  I  expected  to  see  her  go  under,  she  began 
to  right  herself. 

Too  exhausted  to  speak  and  half-drowned  by  the 
seas,  we  hung  on  under  the  shelter  of  the  forecastle 
until  she  once  more  rode  safely  into  it.  I  looked 
into  the  streaming  faces  of  the  men,  and  wondered 
how  many  had  gone  to  leeward  that  day,  and  then 
it  seemed  to  me  that  slaving  for  wealth  might  not 
be  any  better  than  I  had  originally  held  it  to  be. 
Aloft  in  that  gray  pall  the  scud  were  whirling  past, 
and  I  found  myself  thinking  of  Tim  and  the  cry 
of  the  South  Sea.  A  sailor  is  apt  to  get  supersti 
tious  even  without  reason,  and  it  struck  me  that 
there  would  be  little  luck  aboard  the  old  pirate  on 
this  cruise. 

When  we  had  a  chance  to  leave,  we  found  that 
one  dago  and  the  little  Dane  had  disappeared  from 
among  us,  and,  as  the  gale  wore  down  toward  even 
ing,  there  was  a  sorry  picture  of  a  black  barque 
riding  the  quick  sea  of  the  western  ocean,  her  rig 
ging  hanging  and  trailing  to  leeward  from  the 
stumps  of  her  topmasts,  and  a  half-drowned  crew 
holding  on  to  anything  they  could. 

Before  morning  the  hurricane  had  passed,  and 
169 


B 


we  were  again  heading  off  across  the  ocean,  with  a 
badly  wrecked  ship  and  an  ugly,  demoralized  set  of 
men,  cursing  their  luck,  the  ship,  and  especially  her 
officers  in  a  manner  that  spoke  of  trouble  ahead. 


170 


CHAPTER    XX. 

WHAT    HAPPENED   IN    MADEIRA 

THE  days  following  that  storm  were  full  of  la 
bour  for  all  on  board  the  barque.  Rigging  a  jury 
maintopmast,  and  securing  the  yards  that  had  re 
mained  fast  to  the  line  ahead,  and  which  had  acted 
as  a  sea  anchor  or  drag  and  thereby  saved  us,  we 
made  the  best  of  our  way  to  Madeira.  The  voyage 
was  uneventful  and  long,  owing  to  our  wrecked 
condition,  but  it  ended  at  last. 

During  the  days  of  toil  the  temper  of  the  men 
grew  worse,  and  at  one  time  Martin  and  Anderson 
began  to  talk  pretty  freely  in  the  watch  below. 
Howard  tied  the  Scandinavian  up  in  the  rigging, 
and  was  about  to  use  even  more  severe  methods, 
but  Hawkson  and  Hicks  prevailed.  He  was  ap 
prised  of  the  murmurings  forward  by  his  steward, 
Watkins,  who  took  care  he  lost  very  little  of  what 
went  on. 

Hawkson  and  Hicks,  backed  by  Mr.  Gull  and 
Henry,  however,  knew  that  to  precipitate  trouble 

171 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


would  ruin  whatever  prospects  the  voyage  still  held, 
and  they  made  it  plain  to  the  trader  that  his  influ 
ence  was  also  necessary  to  curb  the  captain's  temper. 
Together  they  held  him  in  check,  and  we  made  har 
bour  without  coming  to  desperate  measures. 

The  behaviour  of  Mr.  Curtis  after  the  storm  was 
most  peculiar.  He  prayed  very  often,  and  seemed 
to  develop  a  most  pious  disposition.  This  went  to 
the  extent  of  asking  permission  to  have  the  men 
mustered  on  Sundays,  so  that  by  standing  on  the 
break  of  the  poop  he  could  address  and  harangue 
them  upon  religious  matters. 

The  idea  tickled  Howard  so  keenly  that  he  not 
only  agreed  to  it,  but  insisted  that  it  should  happen 
twice  a  week  until  the  men  were  in  better  temper. 
It  was  being  enforced  when  the  towering  sides  of 
Pico  Ruivo  rose  above  the  eastern  horizon. 

Miss  Allen  had  not  been  especially  impressed  by 
these  harangues,  and  this  day  joined  Hicks  upon 
the  poop,  while  the  affair  took  place.  Hicks  had 
been  below,  but  had  appeared  forward  talking  con 
fidentially  to  Martin,  and  had  passed  a  package 
which  the  brawny  Scot  had  taken  below  very  hur 
riedly  just  as  all  hands  mustered.  When  Hicks 
reached  the  poop,  coming  up  the  cabin  companion, 
we  were  already  standing  under  the  break,  lounging 
in  various  attitudes  of  inattention. 

I  hardly  remember  what  Mr.  Curtis  said  on  this 
172 


RQUE 


occasion,  but  he  pointed  to  the  distant  mountains 
and  waxed  very  eloquent.  We  had  seen  this  land 
before,  but  he  had  not. 

"  It  is  the  prayers  of  us  poor  sinners,"  said  he, 
stretching  forth  his  hand,  "  that  has  at  last  saved 
our  barque  from  storm  and  calm.  We  are  poor, 
weak  mortals,  and  must  ask  for  help/' 

"  Who  calls  er  mon  like  me  er  weak  mortil,  hey?  " 
came  a  voice  from  the  crowd,  and  there  stood  Mar 
tin,  the  empty  bottle  in  hand,  his  eyes  shifty  and 
dangerous. 

"  I'm  a  true  Christian  man,  d'ye  ken  that,  an' 
if  ye  dare  say  I  be  ither,  I'll  wallop  ye  like  er  babe." 

Curtis  was  off  the  poop  in  an  instant,  and  there 
was  a  mix-up  that  promised  much  in  the  way  of 
diversion,  for  whatever  our  preacher  lacked,  it  was 
not  a  quick  temper.  He  seized  the  tipsy  Scot  by 
the  hair  with  both  hands,  and,  in  spite  of  the  hoots 
and  wallops  he  received,  was  making  a  very  fair 
job  of  him  when  Jones  and  Henry  separated  them. 

Howard  stood  on  the  poop  and  cackled  away, 
enjoying  the  scene,  refusing  to  do  anything  to  Mar 
tin  unless  Curtis  ordered  it.  This  the  younger  man's 
vanity  would  not  permit,  and  upon  the  whole  it 
was  just  as  well,  for  it  made  the  feeling  a  little  less 
uncomfortable  forward,  which  was  a  good  thing 
for  a  vessel  going  into  a  harbour  where  crews  might 
be  scarce. 

173 


THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

There  was  some  hesitancy  on  Hawkson's  part 
about  going  in  with  such  a  large  crew,  for  trading- 
vessels  generally  were  not  heavily  manned.  It 
might  create  enough  comment  to  attract  the  atten 
tion  of  a  man-of-war,  and  even  though  our  papers 
might  be  fixed  satisfactorily,  a  boarding  of  the 
barque  would  be  hazardous  to  a  slaving  enterprise. 
At  all  events,  it  was  decided  that  Mr.  Gull  should 
take  a  boat's  crew  and  land  upon  the  Desertas,  the 
rocks  about  a  dozen  miles  to  the  southward.  Here 
they  would  kill  as  many  wild  goats  and  hogs  as  they 
could,  and  await  the  barque's  signal  before  ventur 
ing  in,  bucanning  the  meat  for  the  voyage  back. 

We  soon  anchored  in  the  open  roadstead  not  very 
far  from  the  beach.  The  town  of  Funchal  lay  be 
fore  us  to  the  north'ard,  its  terraces  and  vineyards 
rising  from  the  water  up  the  steep  sides  of  the 
mountains.  A  very  pretty  place  it  was,  and  in  a 
short  time  the  captain's  gig  was  called  away  to  take 
him  ashore.  Richards  silently  brought  the  boat  to 
the  ladder,  and  sat  stiff  and  motionless,  a  regular 
man-o'-war  cockswain.  The  whole  after-guard,  ex 
cept  Henry  and  Watkins,  clambered  into  the  boat, 
Yankee  Dan  and  his  daughter  accompanied  by 
Hicks  and  Curtis. 

The  old  trader  had  been  somewhat  subdued  in 
spirits  during  the  latter  part  of  the  trip  across,  owing 
to  our  loss  of  gear  and  the  leaky  condition  of  the 

174 


BLACK-  BARUE 


vessel.  Now  he  spoke  with  his  usual  spirits,  which 
rose  as  the  distance  between  him  and  the  shore  les 
sened. 

"Sink  me!"  said  he,  "if  I  don't  try  to  show 
these  dagoes  how  to  drive  a  trade  for  them  top 
masts." 

"  I  wouldn't,  if  you  intend  staying  ashore,"  said 
Hicks. 

"Will  I  stay  ashore?"  said  Miss  Allen. 

"  Until  we  can  ship  you  to  the  Continent,"  said 
her  father.  "  It  won't  be  long  before  we  put  you 
and  Curtis  aboard  some  ship  for  Havre.  Then 
you'll  both  be  safe." 

I  had  realized  before  this  that  Mr.  Curtis  was 
looked  to  as  the  fowl  who  was  laying  the  golden 
egg  f°r  the  enterprise,  while  Dan  was  to  do  the 
trading.  His  daughter  was  the  principal  tie  between 
them,  and  she  was,  doubtless,  the  innocent  lever 
the  trader  had  used  to  get  the  younger  man  inter 
ested  in  slaving.  It  looked  as  if  there  would  soon 
be  a  marriage. 

The  girl  had  nodded  to  me  as  I  took  the  stroke 
oar,  and  I  will  admit  I  felt  interested  in  her  future. 
Whatever  Sir  John  Hicks  felt,  he  kept  it  well  to 
himself,  for  he  joined  the  conversation  right  mer 
rily,  although  his  behaviour  toward  Mr.  Curtis  was 
unnecessarily  polite.  We  rowed  swiftly  over  the 
swell  of  the  blue  roadstead,  and  ran  the  boat's  nose 

175 


BLACK,  BARUE 


upon  the  sand,  the  light  surf  splashing  into  the  stern- 
sheets  just  enough  to  cause  some  scrambling  for 
dry  places.  Then  the  boat  was  surrounded  by  na 
tives,  who  plunged  into  the  water  regardless  of  their 
white  breeches,  and  offered  to  carry  the  passengers 
ashore. 

Jones  and  myself,  however,  placed  a  short  board 
for  Miss  Allen  to  sit  upon,  and  then  raised  it  to 
the  height  of  our  shoulders  with  her  upon  it,  bear 
ing  her  aloft,  while  she  gave  a  bit  of  a  scream  and 
fastened  her  fingers  in  our  hair  for  support.  Then 
we  strode  ashore  to  the  dry  beach  above  high  water, 
with  small  regard  for  the  scowling  dagoes  who 
failed  to  earn  their  silver. 

The  rest  were  so  busily  engaged  in  getting  ashore 
dry  that  they  failed  to  note  that  I  seized  the  little 
hand  upon  my  head  and  kissed  it  fervently,  much 
to  Big  Jones's  delight  and  the  young  lady's  embar 
rassment. 

'*  You  know  what  they'd  do  to  you  if  they  knew 
you  were  so  rude,"  said  she,  flushing. 

"  I've  risked  death  for  less  pleasure,"  said  I, 
touching  my  forehead. 

"  Then  the  fool-killer  surely  was  not  in  the  neigh 
bourhood.  You  forget  your  position,"  said  she, 
haughtily. 

"  I  was  a  mate  once,"  I  answered. 

"  Well,  you're  not  now.     If  it  were  not  that  Sir 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


John  —  I  mean,  Mr.  Curtis  would  kill  you,  I  should 
report  your  insolence." 

"  Tis  a  small  deed  to  die  for,"  said  I,  "  and,  if 
I  must  go,  perhaps  I  had  better  make  my  end  doubly 
certain  —  " 

At  this  moment  Yankee  Dan's  voice  called,  and 
I  turned  in  time  to  see  him  approaching. 

Jones,  who  had  walked  toward  the  boat,  glanced 
back  uneasily  at  me,  but  I  touched  my  forelock, 
having  no  cap,  and  left  Miss  Allen.  The  big  Welsh 
man  did  not  hear  all  of  our  conversation,  but,  lest 
he  retail  part  of  it  to  the  men,  I  took  the  trouble 
to  make  it  plain  to  him  that  such  a  trick  would  be 
reckoned  as  a  great  discourtesy  to  the  lady  and 
myself,  and  that  a  necessary  settlement  would  there 
fore  take  place.  Jones,  in  spite  of  his  size,  was  a 
man  of  keen  discernment  and  not  without  discretion. 
He  was  silent. 

As  the  island  was  well  wooded  with  fine  large 
trees,  it  was  but  a  short  time  before  we  had  our 
topmasts  on  the  beach  ready  to  take  aboard  and 
set  up.  Jorg  took  charge  of  the  spars,  and  we 
floated  them  alongside  and  hoisted  them  on  deck, 
where  he  at  once  set  to  work  upon  them.  Much 
of  the  ironwork  from  the  wreck  we  had  saved, 
and  this  shortened  the  job  very  considerably. 
Within  a  week  from  the  day  we  dropped  anchor, 
gant-lines  were  rigged  and  the  new  spars  sent  aloft. 

177 


BLACK.  BA 


The  backstays  were  then  set  up  and  the  t'  gallant- 
masts  were  sent  up,  one  of  these  having  been  saved 
from  the  wreck  and  the  other  cut  ashore. 

The  work  of  rigging  kept  all  hands  busy  day  and 
night,  so  we  saw  little  of  the  town  of  Funchal. 
We  went  ashore  once  to  buy  a  second-hand  suit 
of  t'gallantsails  and  royals,  which  were  to  be  used 
as  good  weather  canvas,  and  have  an  old  maintop- 
sail  recut,  but  there  was  little  time  even  for  sam 
pling  the  wines  I  had  heard  so  much  about. 

While  we  lay  there,  a  large  American  brig  came 
in  and  anchored  near  us. 

She  was  evidently  a  trader  by  her  look,  and  by 
her  build  and  rig  she  appeared  very  fast  and  rakish. 
She  flew  the  American  ensign,  and  I  was  interested 
in  her.  As  soon  as  we  had  a  little  respite  from 
rigging,  I  asked  permission  to  visit  the  stranger, 
and,  to  my  surprise,  it  was  granted.  Neither  Hawk- 
son  nor  Howard  appeared  the  least  interested  in 
the  vessel,  and  had  neither  received  a  visit  from 
her  captain  nor  made  a  visit  to  him.  When  Bill, 
Ernest,  Martin,  and  myself  took  the  small  boat  that 
evening  and  started  over  to  her,  Hawkson  called 
me  aside. 

"  Take  a  peep  below  hatches  if  ye  get  the  chance, 
and  see  what  sort  o'  guns  she  carries.  Maybe  ye'll 
care  to  change  ships,"  said  he,  with  his  ugly  smile. 

As  something  of  this  nature  had  really  been  find- 
178 


ing  place  in  my  mind,  I  suppose  I  flushed  a  bit. 
I  had  intended  to  desert,  should  the  brig  clear  first, 
for  slaving  was  no  more  to  my  taste  now  than 
formerly.  From  Richards's  silent  behaviour  I  felt 
that  I  would  not  have  to  go  alone,  and  I  intended  to 
broach  the  subject  to  the  bos'n  that  very  night. 

"  All  right,"  I  answered,  with  a  sinking  of  spirits 
I  tried  to  conceal.  "  I'll  search  her  if  I  get  the 
chance." 

What  Hawkson  meant  was  evident  as  soon  as 
we  came  within  a  half-mile  of  her  to  leeward.  A 
most  horrible  odour,  peculiar  and  penetrating, 
seemed  to  come  from  her.  I  had  never  known  it 
before,  but  Bill  stopped  rowing  at  once  and  turned 
toward  her. 

"  Niggers,"  said  he,  spitting  in  disgust. 

"Aboard  of  her?"  I  asked. 

"  Not  youst  now,  maybe,  but  she's  been  full  of 
niggers  more'n  once.  There's  youst  a  smell  left 
behind,  and  it  never  leaves." 


179 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

THE   STRANGE   BRIG 

WE  reached  the  brig's  side,  and  a  surly  voice 
hailed  us.  "  Whatcher  want  ?  "  it  said,  in  the  deep 
baritone  of  the  typical  Yankee  bos'n. 

"  Hoot,  ye  Yankee,"  cried  Martin,  "  we've  come 
visitin',  d'ye  ken  that?  A-visitin',  an',  if  ye  be  so 
hospitable  as  ye  have  no  reason  t'  be,  we're  dommed 
welcome.  If  we  ain't,  I'll  ask  ye  to  show  us  cause 
why,  an'  maybe  I  ken  prove  ye' re  wrong  by  the 
strength  o'  logic,"  and  he  held  up  two  brawny  hands 
like  the  paws  of  a  tiger. 

c<  Well,  I  don't  keer  to  have  no  drunken  louts 
aboard  this  here  vessel,"  said  the  fellow,  leaning 
over  the  rail  so  that  I  could  get  a  glimpse  of  him. 
"  Ef  yer  got  any  money,  sing  out  whatcher  want. 
This  here's  a  honest  trading-brig,  an'  kin  give  ye 
all  a  good  nip  o'  prime  American  whiskey  for  a 
mighty  low  price." 

The  man  was  quite  uncommon-looking.  He  must 
have  stood  six  feet  six,  and  was  as  lean  as  a  flag- 

180 


K,  BARQUE 


staff.  His  face  was  lined  and  burned,  as  though 
used  to  a  tropical  sun,  and  his  eyes  were  faded  and 
yellow. 

"  Ye  be  a  rare  raskil,  an'  that's  a  fact,"  said  Mar 
tin.  "  Is  there  anything  ye  widna  do  for  the  coin  ? 
Bide  a  bit,  and  let  us  coom  aboard.  Tis  liquor  I 
crave  for  the  sake  of  me  system." 

We  ran  the  dingey  alongside  and  prepared  to 
mount  the  channels  to  the  deck,  but,  on  looking  up, 
we  noticed  the  long  man  had  not  moved  or  spoken, 
but  had  drawn  forth  a  huge  horse-pistol,  which  he 
poked  over  the  rail. 

"  Youst  hold  on  a  bit  with  that,"  said  Bill.  "  We 
know  you're  a  trader  all  right  by  the  smell  o'  yer. 
We  ain't  no  men-o'  -war's  men,  so  what's  that  got 
to  do  with  us?  " 

The  tall  man  looked  thoughtfully  along  the  bar 
rel  of  the  weapon,  and  then  put  it  out  of  sight. 
"  Wall,  come  up,  then,  if  ye  know  the  smell  so  well." 

Thus  invited,  we  quickly  made  our  way  aboard, 
and  lost  no  time  in  purchasing  some  of  the  "  good 
American  whiskey,"  which  turned  out  to  be  the 
worst  stuff  afloat. 

All  idea  of  changing  ships  left  me  as  I  stepped 
on  deck.  She  was  without  doubt  a  slaver,  bound 
out  in  the  same  rascally  enterprise  we  were.  But, 
as  she  carried  the  American  flag,  she  was  free  from 
British  men-of-war,  and  consequently  less  afraid 

181 


of  detection.  For,  although  slaving  was  now  a 
piracy,  no  British  ship  could  take  her  without  slaves 
aboard,  and  there  were  only  two  or  three  small 
American  cruisers  in  the  South  Atlantic,  and  these 
were  too  slow  to  capture  a  very  fast  ship.  I  won 
dered  why  Hawkson  allowed  us  aboard  her,  know 
ing  well  that  we  were  almost  sure  to  tell  of  our 
affairs.  Then  I  remembered  his  request  to  note 
her  armament  and  crew. 

The  latter  we  found  just  below  the  hatches,  all 
armed  to  the  teeth  with  pistols,  cutlasses,  and  board 
ing-pikes,  awaiting  the  word  of  their  captain  to 
spring  on  deck  and  defend  their  ship  should  occa 
sion  arise.  Our  boat  was  a  suspicious  object  that 
the  long  skipper  had  been  watching  for  some  time, 
and  believed  there  was  some  game  behind  our  inno 
cent  call.  The  six  little  guns  on  each  broadside 
were  all  loaded,  and  we  found  that  she  would  clear 
just  as  soon  as  water  could  be  brought  aboard. 

After  the  men  —  there  were  twenty-six  in  all  — 
had  put  aside  their  arms  and  received  us  as  com 
panions,  we  had  the  usual  sailors'  orgy  before  start 
ing  back.  Yarns  were  told,  and,  if  ever  there  was 
a  crew  of  unhung  rascals,  these  self-confessed  vil 
lains  would  have  formed  them. 

Martin  seemed  pleased  at  last  to  find  men  who 
stopped  at  nothing,  and  before  he  left  was  talking 
piracy,  and  begging  some  of  the  hardiest  to  join 

182 


BLAC.  BAR.E 


him.  He  was  very  drunk,  however,  and  his  rail 
ings  were  counted  as  little,  but  I  knew  that  he  was 
really  speaking,  as  drunken  men  often  do,  from 
their  inmost  hearts.  One  great  hulking  fellow, 
with  red  whiskers,  took  a  little  with  the  scheme, 
and  another  man,  an  Italian  sailor,  looked  a  bit 
queer  about  the  eyes  when  the  Scot  talked  of  gold. 
The  long  skipper  heard  nothing  of  their  ravings, 
for,  after  allowing  us  aboard  the  vessel,  he  retired 
to  the  cabin,  where  his  mates  were  waiting  to  see 
the  outcome  of  the  visit.  When  they  saw  we  were 
really  only  four  able-bodied  men  of  a  strange  barque, 
their  interest  appeared  to  fade  away  entirely.  We 
finally  shoved  off,  dizzy  and  sick  with  the  poison 
imbibed,  myself  thoroughly  disgusted  with  the  slav 
er's  crew,  and  Martin  and  Ernest  inviting  them  to 
a  meeting  ashore. 

Hawkson  took  me  aside  when  we  returned,  and 
asked  a  few  questions.  My  disgust  for  my  country 
men  was  too  apparent  not  to  be  noticed,  and  the 
mate  evidently  thought  it  safe  to  trust  me  now  any 
where,  for  I  was  allowed  ashore  again  that  evening. 

Our  liberty  crews  were  unique  and  grotesque. 
There  was  little  care  for  desertion,  evidently  on 
account  of  Henry's  ability  to  get  the  deserters  with 
out  trouble  from  any  island  where  access  to  the 
mainland  could  only  be  had~  by  some  large  vessel 
that  could  be  easily  seen.  And,  as  we  were  mongrel 


THE  BLACK,  BARQUE 

in  the  extreme,  there  was  much  to  be  expected  from 
mixture. 

Bill  declared  he  should  get  very  drunk  at  once 
on  the  wine  he  had  heard  so  much  about  but  never 
had  tasted,  and  Martin  declared  he  would  do  any 
thing  a  true  Christian  sailor  might  be  expected  to 
do.  His  chum,  Anderson,  was  surly  and  fierce,  on 
account  of  his  recent  ill-treatment  aboard,  and  talked 
openly  of  killing  any  one  of  our  officers  he  might 
meet  on  the  beach.  Watkins  had  gone  in  the  cap 
tain's  gig  to  attend  to  getting  fresh  provisions  for 
the  after-guard,  and  the  black  Doctor  came  with 
us,  for  it  was  to  be  our  last  run  ashore,  as  we  would 
clear  at  once.  The  signal  had  been  set  and  a  gun 
fired  for  the  crew  on  the  Desertas,  and  all  was  ready 
again  for  our  voyage.  The  goats'  and  hogs'  meat 
would  be  ready  to  be  pickled,  and  would  be  stowed 
at  sea. 

We  landed  on  the  beach,  and  a  crowd  of  the 
strangely  dressed  natives  offered  to  pilot  us  around 
to  see  the  town  of  Funchal.  The  men  wore  tight 
knee-breeches,  and  their  thin,  bare  legs  sticking  out 
of  enormous  boots  looked  remarkably  queer.  A 
pair  of  them  insisted  on  joining  us,  in  spite  of  Mar 
tin's  threat  and  the  Doctor's  pugnacity,  and,  after 
a  scuffle  or  two,  we  let  them  lead  the  way  to  town. 
Our  other  boats  had  rowed  up. 

Hawkson  had  detained  only  Jorg  and  a  couple 
184 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


of  Swedes  aboard,  and  I  wondered  vaguely  if  it 
were  well  to  be  so  short-handed  should  a  British 
man-of-war  rise  above  the  horizon.  I  did  not  know 
whether  or  not  we  could  be  taken,  for,  although 
English  built,  we  were  evidently  under  Yankee 
Dan's  charter.  Still  there  must  certainly  be  con 
siderable  treasure  aboard,  in  order  to  do  the  trading, 
and,  if  searched  and  captured,  there  was  a  strong 
probability  of  losing  it. 

We  finally  reached  the  sailors'  harbour,  that  is, 
a  wine-shop,  and  because  I  had  not  forgotten  the 
effects  of  the  last  carouse  I  had  in  Nassau,  I  refused 
to  drink.  The  swinish  crew  insisted,  and  the  Doc 
tor  wished  to  know  why  I  would  not  drink  with 
him. 

"  Disha  nigger's  as  good  as  any  white  man,  an', 
if  I  am  a  slave,  I  belong  to  er  man  wat's  er  m-a-an, 
an'  he's  done  quit  drinkin'  milk.  I  never  did  think 
much  of  you  nohow,  an'  I  kin  lick  yo'  fur  tuppence, 
dat  I  kin,"  said  he,  advancing  and  showing  his  ugly, 
sharp  teeth. 

There  was  no  earthly  use  of  starting  a  fight,  and 
there  was  little  glory  in  handling  a  man  who  was 
bound  by  law  to  submit  to  the  white  man's  will. 
I  therefore  left  the  crowd  and  went  alone  through 
the  town,  hoping  to  see  something  besides  debauch. 

I  strolled  through  the  quaint  streets,  attracting 
more  or  less  attention,  and  somehow  I  found  myself 

185 


straying  in  the  direction  of  the  inn  where  Yankee 
Dan  and  his  daughter  were  staying.  Then  I  began 
to  feel  a  bit  ashamed  of  my  appearance,  for,  al 
though  I  rated  a  gunner,  and  therefore  a  petty 
officer,  I  was  dressed  but  little  better  than  an  average 
sailor,  and  my  linen,  though  put  on  fresh  for  the 
beach,  was  not  what  I  wished  it  to  be.  I  soon  rec 
ognized  the  place,  and  looked  to  see  Mr.  Curtis 
around,  but  he  was  evidently  with  the  captain  and 
Dan,  making  a  settlement  for  the  spars  we  had 
shipped,  and  fixing  the  barque's  papers. 

I  caught  sight  of  the  flutter  of  a  dress  on  the 
broad  loggia,  and  then  saw  Miss  Allen  sitting  there 
in  the  breeze.  An  unaccountable  impulse  made  me 
stop  and  head  directly  toward  her,  for  she  was  the 
only  thing  that  relieved  the  coarseness  and  rough 
ness  of  the  life  I  had  led  aboard  the  barque. 

"  Good  evening,  Miss  Allen,"  I  said,  stopping 
just  in  front  of  her. 

"  Good  evening,  John,"  she  answered,  kindly, 
as  if  addressing  an  old  servant,  and  she  smiled  and 
laid  aside  her  book. 

The  tone  disturbed  me.  Had  she  shown  any 
interest  besides  that  for  a  hopelessly  familiar  chat 
from  a  superior  point  of  view,  I  might  have  passed 
on  and  nothing  would  have  happened.  As  it  was, 
my  spirit  rose  a  bit. 

"  I  am  as  well  as  any  man  can  be  who  is  fastened 
186 


to  a  ship  he  would  like  to  get  clear  of,"  said  I,  and 
walked  boldly  upon  the  porch  where  she  sat. 

"  I  wonder  you  can  get  along  anywhere  with 
your  amazing  impudence,"  she  answered.  "  Can  you 
tell  me  what  you  would  have  me  do  to  alleviate 
your  suffering?  If  papa  saw  you  here  talking  to 
me  like  this,  I  think  you  would  even  care  less  for 
a  voyage  with  him  in  The  Gentle  Hand" 

"  Hang  your  —  I  was  about  to  say  your  father," 
I  answered,  "  but  as  this  fate  is  liable  to  overtake 
all  the  men  concerned,  it  would  be  unwise  to  tempt 
Providence.  I  didn't  come  here,  however,  to  carry 
tales  to  his  daughter." 

"  Will  you  kindly  state  just  what  brought  you, 
then?  You  are  an  American,  John,  and  I'm  inter 
ested  in  you  to  that  extent." 

"  That  is  most  kind,"  I  answered,  "  and  I  will 
make  it  perfectly  plain  before  I  leave."  Here  I  drew 
up  a  chair,  and  sat  quietly  down  at  a  respectful  dis 
tance.  Her  eyebrows  raised  a  trifle  at  this  action, 
and  her  smile  hardened  a  bit,  but  I  was  aroused 
now  and  I  paid  no  further  attention  to  mere  details. 


187 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

"  STAND    TO    IT  !  " 

"  I  SUPPOSE,"  I  said,  "  that  you  believe  me  suf 
fering  from  sconce  swellus." 

"  It  must  be  an  extraordinary  disorder  for  a 
sailor,"  she  answered. 

"  Translated  into  nautical  language,  it  means 
swelling  of  the  frontal  bone,  producing  an  ecstatic 
degree  of  self-complacency  in  a  hitherto  irresponsi 
ble  mind,"  said  I,  "  and  it  is  more  often  found  to 
exist  among  young  persons,  much  younger  even 
than  I  am.  I  wished  to  say  that  my  exalted  rank 
on  the  barque  was  not  such  as  to  produce  the  dis 
ease." 

"  I  see,"  said  Miss  Allen,  raising  her  eyebrows 
slightly. 

"  In  that  case,  I'll  proceed  to  tell  you  that  slaving 
is  not  my  chosen  vocation,  and,  if  you  are  unfortu 
nate  enough  to  marry  Mr.  Curtis,  and  thus  control 
the  sinews  of  the  enterprise,  I  would  like  to  have 
the  crew  diminished  by  one  or  two  hands,  beginning 
with  me." 

1 88 


"  Did  it  ever  occur  to  you  that  the  captain  might 
be  the  person  to  whom  you  should  make  the  re 
quest,"  she  answered,  smiling  a  little. 

"  It  did  occur  to  me  that  he  might  be  the  one, 
but,  on  considering  his  peculiar  and  hasty  actions, 
it  occurred  later  to  me  that  he  might  not." 

"  Well,  if  you  intend  to  wait  until  the  misfor 
tune  overtakes  me  that  you  suggest,  I'm  afraid 
there  is  little  use  of  your  sublime  impudence." 

"  If  that  is  really  true,"  said  I,  without  hardly 
knowing  what  I  was  saying,  "  I  will  be  content 
to  be  slaver,  or  even  pirate,  for  that  matter.  If  you 
really  don't  intend  to  —  " 

"  That  will  do,  sir  !  Be  still  !  "  she  cried,  now 
aroused.  Then  she  arose  from  her  chair,  and,  look 
ing  like  an  angry  goddess,  turned  about  to  face 
Mr.  Curtis,  who  had  stepped  out  of  the  house,  and 
who  had  evidently  lost  very  little  of  the  last  part 
of  our  conversation. 

"  Good  evening,  Miss  Allen,"  said  he.  "  When 
you  get  through  talking  to  that  sailor  about  your 
private  affairs,  we  might  take  a  little  stroll  before 
dark." 

"  I  hardly  feel  it  necessary  under  the  circum 
stances,"  said  the  girl. 

"  You  might  later  on,"  said  he.  His  voice  was 
cold,  but  his  eyes  held  smouldering  fires  that  flashed 
ominously. 

189 


BLACIL  BARE 


"  Is  that  a  threat?  "  said  she,  haughtily,  as  steps 
sounded  on  the  gravel  walk  around  the  corner  of 
the  house. 

"  No  fear,"  I  snapped  out  without  thinking,  and, 
as  I  did  so,  Hicks  and  Captain  Howard  swung 
around  the  corner  and  were  alongside. 

The  old  pirate  stopped  and  looked  at  me  a  mo 
ment.  "  What's  this  fellow  doing  here  ?  "  he  asked, 
noting  my  attitude,  which  was  not  of  respect  to 
Mr.  Curtis. 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  he;  "  but  if  you  will  kindly 
lend  me  your  cutlass,  I'll  see  if  he  has  blood  in  him." 

The  old  fellow  instantly  drew  forth  the  hanger 
he  always  carried  whenever  going  ashore,  and 
passed  the  hilt  to  Mr.  Curtis.  Hicks  stood  near, 
smiling  contemptuously. 

The  affair  began  to  have  a  serious  look.  I  could 
hardly  run  with  honour,  and  Miss  Allen  would 
sooner  have  cut  off  her  right  hand  than  ask  him  to 
withhold  the  blade. 

"  Sir  John,"  she  cried,  turning  to  Hicks,  "  if  that 
man  is  harmed,  you  will  live  to  be  sorry  for  it. 
Heywood,"  she  said,  turning  to  me,  "  go  about  your 
business." 

"  Not  while  he  has  that  weapon  in  his  hand," 
said  I,  "  but  if  he  will  lay  it  aside,  and  step  down 
on  the  beach  here-  Here  he  made  a  pass  that 
would  have  given  me  a  bad  stab  had  not  Hicks 

190 


BLC1      A 


knocked  the  thrust  aside  with  his  heavy  walking- 
stick,  which  he  now  held  before  him  like  a  sword. 

Like  a  flash,  Curtis  turned  upon  him.  The  cut 
lass  rose  and  fell  like  rapid  flashes  of  lightning  in 
the  gathering  darkness,  but  each  stroke  found  the 
thick  cane  in  its  path,  and  Hicks  remained  unhurt. 

Howard  burst  into  a  loud  guffaw.  "  Go  it,  bul 
lies!"  he  cried.  "Poke  him  in  the  ribs,  Curtis! 
Whang  him  on  the  knuckles,  Hicks!  Stand  to  it! 
Stand  to  it!  No  flinching!  " 

Yankee  Dan's  daughter  stood  upon  the  porch, 
her  hands  clenched,  and  her  breast  heaving  with 
excitement.  "  Stop  them  !  Oh,  do  stop  them,  Hey- 
wood,"  she  gasped. 

"  If  he  does,  I'll  stuff  his  hide  for  a  figurehead," 
cried  Howard,  sitting  down  to  fully  enjoy  the  scene. 
"  Any  one  who  stops  such  pretty  play,  my  dear 
child,  will  surely  learn  trouble.  Look  at  that,  an' 
that!" 

Curtis  had  forced  his  adversary  backward  into 
the  road,  and  several  persons  came  running  to  see 
the  scuffle.  One  of  these  had  recklessly  tried  to 
seize  the  cutlass,  and  had  received  a  couple  of  good 
slashes  with  the  blade.  The  fellow  screamed  with 
pain.  I  started  forward,  but  was  instantly  ordered 
back  by  Captain  Howard. 

The  slight  diversion  gave  Hicks  a  chance  to  re 
cover  himself  from  the  suddenness  of  the  attack, 

191 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


and  land  a  blow  upon  Curtis's  knuckles,  which 
caused  him  to  drop  his  weapon.  Then,  in  spite  of 
Howard's  threats  and  the  struggles  of  the  combat 
ants,  they  were  separated  just  as  Yankee  Dan  and 
the  main  official  of  the  town  appeared  at  the  door 
of  the  inn,  followed  by  a  crowd  of  servants  and 
sightseers. 

"  It's  a  shame  your  men  interfere  with  such 
sport,"  said  Captain  Howard.  "  It's  an  outrage, 
sir." 

Yankee  Dan  had  evidently  settled  for  the  repairs 
on  the  barque,  and  the  officer's  good-will  was  not 
held  so  high  as  formerly. 

"  Are  you  addressing  me,  sir  ?  "  asked  the  officer. 

"  I  am,  sir,  I  am.  It's  a  d  -  d  outrage  the  way 
you  allow  these  rogues  to  interfere  with  gentlemen. 
You  owe  me  an  apology  for  spoiling  that  sport." 

'  You'll  get  something  entirely  different  if  you 
entertain  any  such  peculiar  ideas  regarding  sport," 
said  the  official. 

"  Tut,  tut,  stow  the  row  !  "  said  Yankee  Dan. 
"  Come  inside,  Rose,"  he  continued  to  his  daugh 
ter,  and  she  followed  him  out  of  sight. 

Hicks  came  up  at  that  moment  and  strode  through 
the  staring  group,  and  I  thought  it  about  time  to 
depart. 

Curtis  had  disappeared,  and  a  fellow  handed  Cap 
tain  Howard  his  cutlass.  The  old  sailor's  face  re- 

192 


THE  RT.AC1L  BARQUE  «£& 

mained  as  unmarked  by  passion  as  a  piece  of  iron, 
while  he  called  the  official  names  that  would  have 
made  a  dog  wince,  and  he  thrust  his  cutlass  back  in 
its  scabbard  with  easy  carelessness.  Then  he  called 
for  something  to  drink,  and  seated  himself  com 
fortably  again  to  enjoy  it.  I  slipped  off  down  the 
road,  and  he  evidently  forgot  all  about  the  incident 
and  the  part  I  took  in  it  before  I  was  out  of  sight. 
As  I  reached  the  landing,  where  we  had  left  the 
small  boat,  I  noticed  the  big  man,  the  skipper  of 
the  Yankee  trader,  directing  two  of  his  crew  to 
lift  a  large  box.  He  apparently  did  not  see  me 
in  the  gloom  of  the  evening,  for  it  was  now  getting 
quite  dark,  and  he  ordered  his  men  about  in  rough 
tones. 

"  You,  Sile,  fling  your  end  aboard,  and  don't  get 
them  slops  wet,  whatever  you  do.  That  Cap'n 
Howard  don't  want  no  wet  slops  a-comin'  aboard 
his  ship.  Says  he's  paid  nine  shillin'  sixpence  fer 
them  jumpers  wot'll  sell  fer  five  shillin'  anywhere 
outside  London  docks." 

I  approached  and  stood  by,  looking  on.  Sud 
denly  he  noticed  me. 

"Hello,  mate,"  said  he,  "be  ye  a-goin'  aboard 
yer  ship?  " 

There  seemed  little  use  staying  ashore. 

"  Yes,  I  reckon  I  will  when  I  get  a  boat,"  I  an 
swered. 

193 


BLACK,  BARQUE  *j 


"  Well,  hop  right  in  there.  I've  got  a  bit  o'  goods 
fer  yer  cap'n,  and  so  long  as  I've  got  tew  take  'em 
aboard,  I'll  take  ye  along  with  Jem." 

I  stepped  into  the  boat,  and  was  followed  by  four 
surly  cutthroats,  who  sullenly  took  up  the  oars. 
The  captain  followed. 

"  Shove  off  !  "  he  growled,  and  the  men  sent  her 
clear.  Then  two  natives  appeared  and  clamoured 
for  some  payment,  following  the  boat  into  the  water. 

"  Get  clear,  you  Guineas  !  "  growled  the  tall  man, 
giving  one  a  rap  over  the  head  with  the  boat-hook, 
and  the  other  a  sharp  crack  on  the  knuckles,  where 
he  held  the  gunwale.  This  caused  them  to  let  go 
and  retreat  to  the  beach,  spluttering  a  string  of 
strange  oaths,  which  the  men  heeded  not  the  least, 
but  let  fall  their  oars,  and  in  a  moment  had  the  boat 
heading  out  in  the  roadstead  in  the  direction  of 
The  Gentle  Hand. 

"  I  s'pose  you  uns  ain't  goin'  out  fer  a  day  or 
two  yet?  "  said  the  tall  skipper,  after  he  had  seated 
himself  in  the  stern-sheets. 

"  I  believe  we'll  clear  to-morrow,"  I  answered. 
"  Our  crew  out  on  the  Desertas  must  have  bucanned 
enough  goat  to  last  half  the  tribes  of  the  Senegal 
six  months." 

"  This  feeding  them  blamed  niggers  is  the  very 
devil,"  said  he,  seeming  to  be  remarkably  communi 
cative  for  a  captain  who  was  talking  to  a  strange 

194 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


sailor.  "  Them  coons  has  ter  be  kept  fat.  Just 
as  soon  as  they  begin  to  pine,  they  goes  almighty 
fast.  Now  there's  ole  Zack  Richards,  who's  too 
mean  to  lay  out  anything  except  boiled  rice.  Why, 
he  left  a  trail  o'  dead  men  clean  acrost  to  Cuba, 
an'  there  warn't  an  hour  between  bodies  a-followin' 
in  his  wake.  You  say  you're  well  heeled  with 
grub?" 

I  told  him  everything  was  first-class  aboard  The 
Gentle  Hand. 

"  Got  plenty  o'  rocks,  hey?  Plenty  o'  real  money 
ter  back  the  game,  hey?  I  s'pose  they  keeps  a  safe 
aboard,  with  iron  doors  an'  regular  money  lock, 
under  the  cabin.  Never  seen  the  cash  outfit,  hey  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  I  ;  "  I'm  only  the  gunner  aboard, 
although  I  shipped  as  mate.  I  never  got  a  chance 
to  see  what's  aft." 

"  You're  most  uncommon  clever  for  a  gunner, 
sink  me!  but  I  took  ye  for  first  officer,  at  least. 
'Course  you've  been  mate  an'  master,  too,  for  that 
matter.  I  c'u'd  see  that  easy.  I  was  just  a-tellin' 
Sile,  when  you  came  over  to-day,  what  a  crackin' 
mate  they  had  on  that  barque."  Here  he  looked 
hard  at  the  surly  man  with  the  stroke  oar,  who 
nodded  and  spat  abundantly  over  the  side  to  empha 
size  his  corroboration. 

"  Must  be  somethin'  of  a  wessel  when  she  has 
fellers  like  you  below  mate's  ratin'.  She  is  a  good- 

195 


B  AE 


lookin'  barque,  but  I  reckon  she's  pretty  old.  We'll 
swing  up  on  the  port  quarter  best,  and  you  can  hail 
the  deck.  Tell  'em  here's  a  chest  o'  slops  fer  Cap 
tain  Howard  wot  goes  in  his  cabin.  He  sent  'em 
off  in  this  boat,  an'  I  won't  charge  him  nuthin'  fer 
freight." 

I  bawled  for  a  line,  and  Hawkson's  head  ap 
peared  over  the  taffrail. 

"Here's  a  chest  for  the  captain,"  I  said,  "it 
has  —  " 

"  It  goes  in  his  cabin,"  said  the  long  man,  inter 
rupting.  "  Them's  his  instructions." 

"  What's  in  it?  "  asked  Hawkson. 

:'  Just  common  slops,"  said  the  long  skipper, 
"  though  he's  paid  a  shillin'  or  two  more'n  them 
cheap  goods  is  worth.  As  fer  me,  I  wouldn't  vally 
the  whole  contents  o'  that  chest  ekal  to  the  powder 
an'  lead  to  blow  'em  ter  Davy  Jones,  —  an'  I  don't 
mind  sayin'  it  loud  enough  to  be  heard.  He's  got 
a  lock  on  it  big  an'  strong  enough  ter  hold  solid 
gold,  an'  he's  kept  the  key.  Pass  a  line  an'  we'll 
heave  it  up.  I  must  be  goin'.  Reckon  I'll  clear  in 
a  couple  of  hours." 

A  couple  of  men  dropped  a  line,  which  was  quickly 
bent  to  one  of  the  handles  of  the  chest,  and  in  a 
few  moments  it  was  aboard  the  barque.  The  small 
boat  hung  alongside  for  some  minutes,  while  the 
long  skipper  swore  and  cursed  at  Sile  for  not  hav- 

196 


BL  AC1L  BARQUE 


ing  been  more  careful  about  the  barque's  paint,  as 
the  chest  scratched  it  a  little.  Then,  hearing  the 
men  carrying  the  affair  below,  he  waved  his  cigar, 
which  shone  in  the  darkness,  and  shoved  off. 


197 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 


WHAT  THE  CAPTAIN'S  CHEST  HELD 


1  You  may  lower  down  that  signal,  Heywood," 
said  Hawkson,  after  I  had  watched  the  long  skipper 
disappear  in  the  darkness. 

Glancing  aloft,  it  was  too  dark  to  see  what  signal 
he  meant,  so  I  hesitated,  knowing  all  our  bunting 
was  generally  hauled  down  at  sunset. 

"  That  pennant  flying  from  the  gaff,"  said  Hawk- 
son,  noting  my  slowness.  "  That's  been  flying  all 
afternoon  for  Mr.  Gull  on  the  Desertas.  Signal 
agreed  on  to  call  him  in.  We're  bound  out  to-mor 
row,  but  didn't  have  to  tell  the  whole  island  about 
it." 

I  went  to  the  spanker-boom  and  sought  the  sig 
nal  halyard.  Then  I  hauled  down  the  pennant, 
which  I  remembered  noting  during  the  day,  but 
gave  no  particular  thought.  Rolling  it  up,  I  started 
forward  to  turn  in  when  Hawkson  stopped  me. 

"  I  wish  you  would  keep  a  lookout  aft  there," 
said  he,  "  I'm  going  below  and  turn  in  a  bit,  and 

198 


BLACK,  BARQUE 


I  want  to  be  called  when  the  old  man  comes  aboard. 
Get  your  supper  from  Heligoland,  and  then  lay  aft 
until  the  gig  comes  alongside." 

On  reaching  the  forecastle,  I  noticed  Heligoland 
eye  me  sharply,  then  he  brought  forth  a  piece  of 
paper  folded  squarely  and  sealed  on  the  corners 
in  very  fine  style. 

I  wondered  at  this,  for  I  had  not  received  a  note 
from  any  one  for  a  long  time.  Looking  askance  at 
the  Norwegian,  I  slowly  tore  it  open,  and  spread 
it  forth  under  the  forecastle  lamp.  At  first  I  could 
make  little  out  of  it,  for  it  was  a  scrawl  and  some 
what  blotted.  Then  I  finally  made  out  the  name 
Richards  at  the  bottom  of  it,  and  started  in  to  read 
it  afresh. 

"  My  dear  friend  Heywood,"  it  went,  "  when 
you  get  this  note,  I  will  be  off  the  ship.  There 
won't  be  any  use  looking  for  me  until  I  choose  to 
turn  up,  but  you  will  see  me  again  before  long.  I 
wanted  you  to  go  with  me,  but  it  couldn't  be  fixed. 
If  you  take  care  not  to  get  killed,  maybe  I  can  help 
you  live  a  bit  longer.  PETER  RICHARDS." 

The  letter  was  somewhat  ambiguous,  but  Richards 
was  something  of  a  scholar,  having  been  a  mate 
and  an  officer  on  a  man-of-war,  so  I  thought  that 
it  was  perhaps  simply  a  way  he  had  of  saying  good- 

199 


BLACK,  BARQUE 


bye.  I  knew  he  intended  to  jump  the  ship,  and  sup 
posed,  of  course,  he  would  not  think  of  such  a  thing 
without  taking  me  in  his  confidence.  Here  he  had 
gone,  and  he  made  no  excuse,  save  that  it  could 
not  be  fixed.  I  swore  at  him  for  fully  a  minute, 
and  then  Heligoland  asked  what  it  was.  As  he 
could  not  read  any  language,  let  alone  English,  it 
was  safe  to  tell  him  the  first  thing  that  happened 
not  to  bear  in  any  way  upon  the  case.  He  seemed 
satisfied. 

At  eight  bells  I  had  eaten  a  bad  meal  cooked  by 
the  Norwegian  sailor  left  in  charge,  and  betook 
myself  aft  to  the  quarter-deck.  The  night  was  quite 
dark,  and  the  lights  on  the  shore  twinkled  brightly, 
sending  their  reflection  streaming  seaward  over  the 
oily  swell  that  rolled  in  gently  upon  the  sand. 
There  was  little  wind,  barely  enough  to  feel,  and 
I  lounged  over  the  taffrail  until  I  found  myself 
dozing. 

It  was  close  to  two  bells  when  I  was  roused  by 
a  peculiar  sound  in  the  lazarette  beneath  me.  There 
was  a  noise  as  of  some  one  sawing  gently,  and  this 
was  followed  by  a  scraping  like  that  caused  by 
dragging  something  heavy  across  the  deck. 

While  I  rested  half  upon  the  rail,  with  my  eyes 
fixed  upon  the  lazarette  hatch,  I  became  aware  of 
the  sound  of  voices  in  the  water  astern,  coming 
from  seaward.  Soon  I  distinguished  the  gentle 

200 


rippling  of  water  from  a  boat's  stem,  and  heard 
Mr.  Gull's  voice  tell  his  men  to  take  in  their  sail. 

"  Don't  seem  to  be  any  one  on  deck,"  he  growled, 
surlily,  as  the  boat  came  under  the  counter  directly 
beneath  me. 

"  Give  me  your  painter,"  I  said,  quietly,  reach 
ing  over  for  it,  and  then,  as  it  was  tossed  up,  taking 
it  forward  to  the  mizzen  lanyards,  where  I  proceeded 
to  make  it  fast. 

While  doing  this,  I  became  aware  of  two  men 
standing  on  the  taffrail,  carrying  a  heavy  chest, 
which  they  were  balancing  upon  the  rail  while  bend 
ing  on  a  line  to  it.  At  first  I  thought  they  were 
from  the  boat  alongside,  but  instantly  remembered 
the  height  of  our  quarter  above  the  rail  of  the  small 
boat,  and  knew  no  one  could  have  climbed  up  so 
quickly. 

"  Stand  from  under,"  growled  one,  whose  voice 
sounded  very  like  that  of  the  red-headed  villain 
Martin  had  taken  into  his  drunken  confidence  aboard 
the  brig.  Then  the  chest  disappeared  over  the  rail, 
and  the  other  man  quickly  caught  a  turn  with  the 
line  about  a  belaying-pin,  to  ease  it  off.  I  was  now 
close  beside  them,  and  had  no  difficulty  in  recogniz 
ing  the  silent  one  as  the  Guinea  we  had  met  in  the 
brig  that  morning. 

"  Over  with  you  !  "  growled  the  fellow  who  had 
first  spoken.  "  Don't  be  all  night  about  letting  that 

201 


go,"  and,  suiting  his  action  to  his  words,  he  sprang 
upon  the  rail  and  dropped  over. 

"  What  the  blazes  is  this?  "  roared  Mr.  Gull  from 
below,  as  the  chest  landed  in  his  boat. 

The  fellow  saw  me  as  he  slipped  over  the  rail, 
and  flung  his  knife  at  my  face,  the  blade  just  graz 
ing  my  cheek.  Before  I  could  recover  myself,  both 
the  men  had  cleared  the  side  and  had  dropped  below. 
I  rushed  to  the  rail  and  peered  over.  Below  there 
were  fierce  oaths  and  the  sound  of  a  desperate  strug 
gle,  and  in  an  instant  several  voices  roared  out  for 
the  watch  on  deck.  Mr.  Gull  could  be  heard  and 
dimly  seen  cursing  and  grappling  with  a  man  who 
strove  to  get  over  the  boat's  stern  into  the  water, 
while  a  black  mass  of  men  struggled  in  the  boat's 
bottom,  yelling  and  cursing  wildly  in  a  strenuous 
combat. 

The  sudden  uproar  aroused  Hawkson,  who  came 
bounding  up  the  companion,  with  a  cutlass  in  one 
hand  and  pistol  in  the  other. 

"What's  the  row?"  he  bawled,  making  to  the 
side. 

"  You  may  search  me,"  I  answered.  "  Looks 
like  a  lot  of  lunatics  below  there." 

"  Shore  grog,  I  reckon.  I'll  string  that  Martin 
up  for  this,  an'  give  Jones  a  dozen  —  Break  away 
there,  you  blackguards,  an'  come  aboard,  or  I'll  fire 
into  ye,"  he  bellowed,  levelling  his  pistol. 

202 


RUE 


"Hold  on!"  I  cried.     "It's  Mr.  Gull  and  his 


men." 


"  Mr.  —  what?  "  he  asked,  peering  over.  "  Sink 
me,  if  it  ain't!  What's  the  matter  below  there? 
D'ye  want  any  help?  " 

At  that  moment  a  shadow  shot  out  of  the  gloom, 
and  we  saw  a  boat  swing  quickly  alongside  of  the 
one  already  fast  to  us. 

"  Now,  then,  cut  loose  there,"  drawled  the  voice 
of  the  long  skipper,  and  instantly  the  blackness  was 
streaked  with  flashes,  as  the  weapons  rang  out. 

Then  some  of  our  men  began  clambering  aboard 
by  the  painter  in  the  mizzen,  while  Hawkson  roared 
and  fired  his  pistol  at  the  new  boat. 

Bawling  for  men  to  follow,  we  slid  down  the 
lines  still  trailing  over  the  stern,  but,  before  we 
could  reach  the  boat  beneath,  it  was  pulled  from 
under  us,  and  then  we  were  left  hanging  over  the 
black  water.  By  the  time  Hawkson  and  I  climbed 
back  on  deck,  the  scuffle  below  had  ceased,  and  the 
long  skipper  was  bawling  out  a  hoarse  farewell 
from  the  darkness  seaward,  and  being  answered  by 
Mr.  Gull  from  his  boat  in  fitting  terms. 

When  lanterns  were  brought  out,  it  was  seen  that 
several  of  our  men  were  seriously  hurt,  and  lay 
upon  the  pile  of  provisions  in  the  boat.  The  chest 
had  disappeared,  and  was  evidently  in  the  posses 
sion  of  the  skipper  of  the  Yankee  brig.  At  this. 


Hawkson  plunged  below,  and  came  up  a  few  minutes 
later  with  the  news  that  the  barque's  treasure-chest 
was  missing,  and  that  she  must  consequently  be 
made  ready  for  sea  at  once. 

The  affair  was  now  perfectly  plain.  Our  men 
were  nearly  all  ashore,  and  it  was  impossible  to  get 
them  before  morning.  The  long  skipper  had  put 
a  couple  of  men  in  the  chest,  sent  them  aboard,  and 
they  had  worked  the  treasure-chest  on  deck,  mis 
taking  Mr.  Gull's  boat  for  their  own,  which  they  had 
evidently  arranged  to  have  on  hand  at  the  appointed 
time.  But  for  the  last  part  of  the  game,  everything 
would  have  gone  quietly.  The  empty  slop-chest, 
with  its  large  lock,  was  the  only  evidence,  besides 
some  wounded  men,  to  show  that  we  had  been 
boarded  and  robbed  in  the  most  approved  pirate 
fashion. 

We  stood  about,  gazing  at  the  empty  chest  with 
its  lock,  which  was  put  on  to  guard  against  inquisi 
tive  persons  opening  it  before  the  men  within  desired 
to  come  out.  Forgetting  entirely  that  we  were 
within  the  sacred  precincts  of  the  captain's  cabin, 
Hawkson  stood  gazing  at  the  affair  lying  open 
before  him,  swearing  at  the  tricky  skipper  who  had 
so  easily  hoodwinked  him,  and  apparently  lost  as 
to  the  best  method  of  regaining  the  chest. 

Suddenly  the  sound  of  voices  came  down  the 
companion,  and  the  noise  of  a  boat  bumping  along- 

204 


side.  He  sprang  to  the  poop,  cutlass  in  hand,  ready 
to  repel  boarders,  and  the  rest  followed  in  his  wake, 
all  armed  now  and  in  a  temper  for  business. 

We  arrived  just  in  time  to  meet  Captain  How 
ard  and  Hicks,  who  climbed  up  the  ladder  to  star 
board,  and  were  on  their  way  aft  followed  by  Wat- 
kins,  the  steward. 

Mr.  Gull  had  already  started  to  explain  matters, 
and  tell  how  he  had  been  overpowered,  but  our 
formidable  appearance  caused  the  old  fellow  to 
draw  his  cutlass  and  stand  on  guard. 

"What's  this  mean?  D'ye  dare  mutiny?"  he 
roared,  and  it  was  some  moments  before  Hawkson 
could  explain  that  mutiny  was  our  last  thought, 
but  that  our  principal  desire  was  to  meet  the  long 
trader  and  his  crew.  I  was  afraid  I  would  suffer 
from  suspicion  in  the  affair,  but  Mr.  Gull  told  how 
he  sent  me  forward  with  his  painter  to  make  it  fast 
in  the  mizzen,  and  nothing  was  said  to  me  about 
the  matter. 

"  Allen  carried  most  of  the  specie  ashore  the  day 
after  we  came  in,"  I  heard  Hicks  say  to  Mr.  Gull. 
"  There  was  nothing  of  any  value  in  that  chest, 
but,  as  it'll  be  dead  calm  all  night,  we'll  have  a 
try  at  him  to-morrow  if  he's  in  sight.  He  won't 
get  far,  and,  if  we  only  had  all  hands  here,  we  could 
board  him  where  he  lays." 

Howard,  after  seeing  that  everything  was  all 
205 


right  aboard,  and  that  Mr.  Gull  had  brought  a  ton 
or  more  of  goat  meat,  went  below,  while  we  rove 
a  tackle  and  unloaded  the  stuff  on  deck,  the  men 
hurt  in  the  fracas  being  allowed  to  turn  in. 

It  was  nearly  midnight  before  the  rest  of  us  went 
into  the  forecastle,  which  now  somewhat  resembled 
a  hospital,  and  I  stretched  out  in  my  pew,  wonder 
ing  what  would  become  of  Mr.  Curtis  and  Miss 
Allen  if  the  barque  sailed  in  the  morning  with  our 
trader  aboard. 


206 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

THE   CAPTAIN    SHOWS   HIS    METTLE 

BEFORE  the  light  of  the  early  morning  filtered 
below,  we  were  aroused  by  the  entrance  of  the  lib 
erty  crew. 

"  Youst  look  at  the  mess/'  cried  Bill,  staggering 
down  the  companion.  "  Jump  below,  friend  Martin, 
an'  see  the  horsepittle  they've  made  in  this  fo'c'sle." 

"Hoot,  ye  Scandinavian  imp,  is  any  one  hurt? 
Mark  ye,  if  there's  any  fighting  to  be  done,  I'll  do 
it!  Ye  ken  that?  I'll  do  it.  I'll  do  it."  And  he 
followed  Bill  below,  and  after  him  trooped  Big 
Jones,  Ernest,  and  the  rest.  There  was  noise  enough 
when  we  told  our  yarn  of  the  evening  before,  and 
all  except  Anderson  took  a  peep  from  the  hatch 
seaward  to  try  and  raise  the  brig,  which  had  cleared 
during  the  night.  She  was  out  of  sight,  however, 
and  they  came  swarming  below  again,  where  the 
surly  Swede  was  thanking  the  fates  the  barque  had 
been  robbed,  and  only  mourned  because  none  of 
her  officers  were  killed  or  wounded. 

207 


BLACK-  BARUE 


Jennings  and  Jorg,  the  Finn,  were  about  the  only 
men  who  had  received  no  hurt  from  the  fracas,  ex 
cept  myself.  Even  Heligoland  had  received  a  bad 
scratch  from  a  stray  bullet,  and  all  of  Gull's  crew 
were  more  or  less  bruised  and  banged  about  by  the 
villains.  One  of  the  boat's  crew  took  a  crack  over 
the  head  that  had  put  him  out  for  many  minutes, 
and  another  a  stab  from  a  knife  that  rendered  his 
hand  useless  for  the  time  being.  Owing  to  the  dark 
ness,  no  one  had  received  a  bullet  from  the  long 
skipper's  fire. 

Before  we  had  time  to  speculate  upon  what  we 
would  do,  Hawkson's  voice  bawled  out  for  all  hands, 
and  Henry  appeared  at  the  hatch. 

We  turned  out  and  saw  smoke  flying  from  the 
galley-pipe,  and  heard  the  voice  of  the  Doctor  sing 
ing  off  the  effects  of  shore  grog  while  he  hustled 
the  breakfast.  In  a  few  minutes  we  had  eaten,  and 
were  manning  the  windlass  to  heave  short. 

There  was  a  gentle  breeze  blowing,  and  the  top 
sails  were  loosened,  the  canvas  falling  from  the 
yards  and  hanging  hauled  up  at  the  clews,  ready  to 
sheet  home  at  the  word.  Far  away  seaward,  the 
Desertas  —  the  barren  rocks  infested  only  by  wild 
goats  —  stood  out  sharply  against  the  southern  sky. 
Nothing  white  like  a  royal,  however,  broke  the  line 
of  blue,  and  it  was  evident  that  our  friend,  the  brig, 
had  made  a  good  offing  during  the  night,  in  spite 

208 


of  the  lack  of  wind.  While  Jim  and  Tom,  our  two 
Liverpool  cockneys,  squeaked  out  a  song,  to  which 
Gus  and  Ernest  added  their  guttural  grunts,  the 
starboard  watch  hove  on  the  windlass  brakes,  and 
began  to  take  the  slack  out  of  our  cable.  Before 
we  had  taken  twenty  feet,  however,  we  noticed  a 
boat  coming  from  the  shore,  and  soon  recognized 
Yankee  Dan,  the  trader.  In  a  few  minutes  he  was 
alongside  bawling  for  Captain  Howard.  Then  he 
climbed  over  the  side,  and,  without  stopping  to  pay 
his  fare,  started  aft. 

"  It's  a  nice  mess  he's  made  ashore,"  he  said,  as 
Hawkson  appeared  on  the  poop.  "  Don't  he  know 
he'll  have  to  fight?  What's  he  afraid  of,  anyway?  " 

"Who?"  asked  the  mate. 

"The  old  man,  of  course.  Who  else?  Hasn't 
he  insulted  that  Guinea  officer  ashore  there?  Don't 
he  know  he's  playing  mighty  strange,  not  showin' 
up  when  time's  called?  Where  is  he?" 

"  Below,"  said  Hawkson,  "  but  he'll  be  on  deck 
if  he  hears  you,  fast  enough.  What's  the  trouble?  " 

I  had  reached  the  starboard  quarter  gun  by  this 
time,  and  saw  a  smooth  poll,  like  the  knob  of  a  door, 
poked  up  the  companion. 

"  Who's  making  that  racket  ?  "  growled  a  voice, 
and  Howard's  face  appeared  over  the  coamings. 

"  Ain't  you  goin'  to  meet  your  man?  "  bawled  tfie 
trader. 

209 


"  What  man,  you  nigger-thief  ?  "  growled  How 
ard. 

"  I'll  settle  with  you  afterward,"  said  the  trader, 
coming  close  to  him.  "  You  better  attend  to  one 
quarrel  at  a  time.  Are  you  goin'  to  fight  or  not? 
You  know  the  man  well  enough,  the  officer  you 
insulted  yesterday/' 

"Where  is  he?"  growled  the  old  villain. 

"  On  the  beach,  waitin'  for  you.    Are  ye  blind  ?  " 

"  That'll  do  the  anchor.  Get  the  small  boat 
ready,"  said  he  to  the  mate.  "  I  reckon  we'll  wait 
a  bit  and  see  what's  up  ashore." 

In  a  moment  after,  he  had  disappeared  down  the 
companion.  Howard  came  stiffly  on  deck  again, 
buckling  on  a  cutlass.  His  face  expressed  nothing, 
and,  as  he  went  toward  the  gangway,  he  called  for 
his  steward  to  bring  him  a  glass  of  grog.  The 
effect  of  this  was  instantaneous. 

He  limbered  up,  and,  as  Holmberg,  Bill,  and 
myself  brought  the  boat  to  the  steps,  he  was  pacing 
fore  and  aft,  cursing  at  our  delay. 

"  I'll  have  my  breakfast  when  I  come  back,"  he 
growled  to  Watkins.  "  No  fear,  I'll  take  the  stiff 
ness  out  of  somebody." 

Then  he  climbed  down  the  side  ladder  and  sprang 
into  the  boat,  followed  by  Yankee  Dan. 

"Shove  off!"  he  growled.  Then  he  turned  to 
the  trader.  "  Where's  this  fracas  to  be,  and  what's 

210 


BLACK.  BARQUE  j 


it  about?  What  am  I  fighting  for,  you  nigger- 
thief?  "  And  he  broke  into  a  high,  cackling  laugh; 
while  his  face  hardly  changed  in  expression,  his 
fishy  eyes  roving  in  their  gaze  toward  the  beach. 

We  gave  way  with  a  will,  and  were  out  of  hail 
ing  distance  of  the  barque  before  Hicks  appeared 
on  deck.  I  could  see  him  waving,  but,  as  the  cap 
tain  sat  with  his  back  facing  aft  steering,  I  thought 
it  was  little  use  to  call  his  attention  to  the  matter. 

We  were  heading,  under  the  trader's  guidance, 
to  a  spot  on  the  shore  out  of  sight  of  the  town,  and 
in  a  little  cove  where  there  was  no  surf  from  the 
heave  of  the  swell.  Here  the  craft  was  beached, 
and  we  sprang  out  to  drag  her  up.  Then  the  trader 
and  our  skipper  stepped  ashore.  Out  from  a  thicket 
of  laurel  sprang  a  trio  of  men,  all  wearing  the  Por 
tuguese  uniform,  and  then  I  recognized  one  of  them 
as  the  dago  officer  who  had  been  talking  to  the 
trader  the  evening  before,  and  whom  our  old  cap 
tain  had  cursed  so  villainously.  Under  the  arm 
of  a  younger  man  was  a  bunch  of  swords,  such  as 
were  used  at  the  time  for  fencing  in  the  army,  — 
little  long,  thin  blades  of  the  rapier  pattern,  and 
sharp  as  needles. 

"  Sorry  to  have  kept  you  folks  waitin'  so  long," 
said  Yankee  Dan,  "  but  the  old  man  had  overslept 
himself.  I  reckon  he'H  fight  fast  enough.  We're 
ready  when  you  say  the  word." 

211 


B 


The  younger  officer  passed  him  the  hilts  of  a 
couple  of  rapiers,  and  politely  begged  that  he  try 
their  temper  and  make  a  choice. 

While  he  did  so,  our  old  skipper  tossed  aside  his 
coat,  and  stood  forth  in  a  none  too  clean  shirt  and 
flowing  trousers,  held  up  by  a  broad  leathern  sword- 
belt.  This  he  began  to  unbuckle  unconcernedly, 
and,  as  he  finished,  he  wrapped  it  around  the  scab 
bard  of  his  hanger  and  drew  forth  the  blade. 

"  I  haven't  much  time  to  waste  on  these  Guineas," 
said  he,  breaking  into  a  sudden  cackling  laugh  which 
ended  abruptly.  His  face  wore  the  same  mahogany 
mask-like  look  it  always  presented,  and  his  eyes 
were  lustreless  and  fixed  as  those  of  a  dead  mack 
erel.  "  If  there's  any  game  goin',  let  it  start,  for 
we've  a  job  in  the  offing  to  attend  to." 

"  Here,"  said  the  trader,  presenting  him  the  hilt 
of  a  rapier  he  had  chosen,  "  drop  that  meat-axe 
and  bear  a  hand.  We'll  settle  our  little  affair 
later." 

"  I'll  settle  you,  if  you  don't  sheer  off,"  growled 
Howard.  "If  the  dago  wants  to  fence,  let  him 
come  in.  This  is  the  sword  for  me,  and,  if  he's 
finky  about  it,  I'll  chase  him  clean  up  his  chimney 
before  he'll  get  clear  of  it." 

Yankee  Dan  threw  down  his  sword  in  disgust. 

"  Don't  let  him  worry  on  my  account,"  said  the 
officer,  in  good  English.  "  Let  him  keep  whatever 

212 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


weapon  he  chooses.    Perhaps  he  would  like  to  have 
a  pistol  also." 

It  seemed  strange  that  the  officer,  who  was  a 
high  official  not  far  below  the  governor  himself, 
should  want  to  fight  a  duel  with  a  man  like  How 
ard.  He  evidently  intended  to  kill  him,  for  he 
took  no  pains  to  hinder  his  clearing  with  his  ship, 
and  appeared  eager  to  come  to  a  personal  settle 
ment. 

A  line  was  drawn  across  the  sand,  and  the  two 
combatants  advanced  to  it,  the  officer  not  above 
middle  age  and  graceful,  his  sword  held  in  proper 
manner  before  him  and  his  feet  set  at  the  right 
distance  apart,  while  his  left  hand  he  held  poised 
at  a  level  with  his  shoulder  in  the  rear. 

Howard  grasped  his  scabbard  in  his  left  hand, 
with  its  belt  wrapped  about  it,  and,  holding  it  high 
above  him,  advanced  his  cutlass's  point,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  work  with  no  more  concern  than  if  he 
were  prodding  a  lazy  sailor. 

The  sun  had  risen,  and  the  sea  was  a  beautiful 
blue  offshore,  the  gentle  rippling  along  the  beach 
sounding  musically.  The  breeze  just  rustled  the 
foliage  overhead,  and  made  a  low,  continuous  click 
ing  which  blended  with  the  sound  of  the  steel.  The 
air  was  warm,  but  fresh  with  the  odour  of  the  sea, 
and  the  two  men  facing  each  other  felt  its  bracing 
influences,  for  they  were  hard  at  it  in  an  instant, 

213 


B.  BA 


the  old  skipper  breaking  forth  into  a  high,  cackling- 
laugh,  as  he  swung  his  weapon  with  marvellous 
quickness.  It  was  evidently  great  sport  for  him, 
and  he  was  enjoying  it. 

The  dago's  glinting  black  eyes  shone  fiercely  as 
he  thrust  and  lunged,  with  the  black  lust  of  murder 
in  his  heart,  determined  to  rid  the  world  of  a  villain. 
He  was  an  expert  swordsman,  and  accounted  How 
ard  a  dead  rascal.  But  the  ways  of  Providence 
are  strange.  It  won't  do  to  trust  that  the  wicked 
will  be  punished  and  the  good  go  unscathed.  The 
ways  of  the  Almighty  Power  are  inscrutable,  and 
to  dictate  a  policy  against  crime,  with  oneself  as 
the  avenger,  is  a  dangerous  undertaking.  The  Al 
mighty  has  a  way  of  his  own  for  dealing  with  all 
things,  and  the  fallible  human  being  is  not  con 
sulted  with  a  view  to  proving  who  or  which  is 
best. 

The  very  confidence  of  the  officer  made  me  nerv 
ous.  His  fierce  smile  seemed  to  hold  contempt  and 
disdain  for  his  antagonist,  who,  with  his  old  scab 
bard  held  high  in  rear,  ambled  about  the  sandy  shore 
like  some  old  reptile,  the  perspiration  starting  out 
on  the  top  of  his  bald  poll  and  running  down  his 
expressionless  face  in  little  streams. 

Once  he  was  pricked  sorely  in  the  side,  but  the 
old  fellow  only  laughed  in  his  high,  cackling  voice, 
and  swung  his  cutlass  with  renewed  vigour. 

214 


THE  BLACK,  BARQUE 

Four,  five,  ten  minutes  passed,  and  the  conflict 
waxed  hotter  and  the  men  began  to  breathe  heavily. 
The  officer's  face  was  pale  and  calm  with  a  fixed 
resolution.  His  breath  came  in  sharp,  rasping  jerks, 
but  his  eye  was  bright  and  watchful,  and  he  was 
much  lighter  and  quicker  on  his  feet. 

Suddenly  he  lunged  out  and  pressed  the  old  man 
fiercely.  Howard's  scabbard  sank  lower  and  lower 
behind  him  until  he  let  it  trail  upon  the  ground. 
He  was  getting  tired,  though  his  face  showed  noth 
ing.  The  officer  stabbed  him  badly  in  the  arm, 
and  there  was  a  look  in  his  eyes  that  told  of  the 
finish.  With  a  movement  quick  as  lightning,  the 
sailor  transferred  his  sword  to  his  left  hand,  and 
came  on  with  his  fresh  wrist,  working  with  the 
precision  of  the  trained  fencer. 

Then  the  old  man  stopped,  stepped  back  a  pace, 
evidently  thoroughly  blown  with  the  exertion.  It 
looked  like  the  end  now,  and  I  began  to  feel  sorry 
for  him,  standing  there  to  be  spitted  by  the  implac 
able  dago. 

"  To  the  death,"  hissed  the  officer  in  good  English, 
and  lunged  out  with  a  vigour  that  seemed  to  defy 
a  parry. 

It  seemed  to  me  his  sword  must  go  half  a  fathom 
beyond  the  old  man's  body,  and  I  gave  a  little  ex 
clamation  of  sympathy.  Then  something  strange 
happened.  Howard  dropped  his  point  and  jerked 

215 


his  sword  backward.  It  sheered  off  the  thrust  to 
starboard,  and,  before  the  officer  could  recover,  the 
cutlass  rose  and  fell  like  a  flash  in  the  sunshine. 
The  blade  landed  fairly  on  his  antagonist's  head, 
and  down  he  went  on  the  sand  like  a  poleaxed 
bullock,  while  Howard  broke  forth  into  his  cackling 
laugh,  and  wiped  his  forehead  with  his  sleeve.  Then 
he  turned  and  strode  toward  the  boat,  where  Bill 
held  his  coat  and  hat.  The  rest  crowded  around 
the  wounded  man,  and  cried  out  in  excited  tones. 

"  Shove  her  off,"  growled  our  captain  ;  "  he  isn't 
hurt  much,  but  it's  too  hot  for  this  kind  of  play. 
He,  he,  he!  I'd  a  good  notion  to  break  his  head, 
Dan,  he  looked  so  wicked,  hey!  'Twouldn't  do  to 
hurt  one  of  those  fellows  if  we  want  to  come  again. 
He'll  be  all  right  in  a  week.  Hi,  hi,  hi!  but  he 
hated  me  right  fairly,  hey?" 

"  I'll  call  it  quits,"  said  Yankee  Dan,  smiling, 
as  he  climbed  aboard.  We  shoved  off,  and  were 
soon  on  our  way  to  The  Gentle  Hand. 

As  we  sent  the  craft  sheering  through  the  clear 
water,  I  had  a  chance  to  look  shoreward,  for  I 
faced  aft  with  the  stroke  oar.  Upon  the  yellow 
sand  several  forms  now  moved  in  a  body,  and,  as 
they  opened  a  bit,  I  saw  the  wounded  officer  walking 
away  leaning  upon  the  arm  of  his  young  comrade. 

"  Hi,  hi,  hi  !  "  cackled  Howard,  "  what  an  appe- 


216 


BLACK-  BARQUE 


tite  a  little  play  gives  one,  hey?    Would  you  like 
to  try  your  hand,  you  man-eater,  to-morrow  ?  " 

"  I'm  no  butcher ;   the  pistol  is  good  enough  for 
me,"  said  Yankee  Dan. 


217 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

WE    HEAR   OF   LONG   TOM 

IN  less  than  half  an  hour  we  were  back  again 
aboard,  and  as  the  trader  clambered  over  the  side, 
he  was  greeted  by  his  daughter.  He  was  evidently 
surprised,  for  he  threw  his  head  back  until  his  beard, 
sticking  upward  from  his  throat  beneath  his  collar, 
stood  out  straight  in  a  most  aggressive  manner. 
It  evidently  had  its  effect  on  the  young  lady's  spirits. 

"  You  don't  seem  overpleased  to  have  me  here 
again,"  she  said  before  he  had  spoken. 

Yankee  Dan  gave  a  loud  grunt  of  protest. 

"  Are  you  going  clear  to  the  coast,  and  be  aboard 
when  we  take  'em  on,  hey?  "  said  he,  with  a  show 
of  sarcasm  in  his  harsh  voice. 

"  I'm  going  with  you,  and  you  may  put  me  ashore 
with  Aunt  Mary  at  St.  Helena,  or  on  board  some 
vessel  bound  for  New  York,  so  I  can  get  to  Uncle 
Henry's.  I'm  not  going  to  stay  ashore  here,"  she 
answered. 

218 


Then  the  father  turned  away  ;  the  interview  ended 
as  Hawkson  came  up. 

Fearing  trouble  for  the  vessel  in  her  dismasted 
condition  when  she  arrived,  her  treasure  had  been 
removed  ashore,  so  that  in  case  some  prying  man- 
of-war  should  happen  to  take  charge  on  suspicion, 
it  would  be  safe.  This  alone  saved  the  enterprise 
from  failure  that  morning,  but,  when  the  story  of 
the  brig's  rascally  skipper  had  been  related  to  the 
trader,  he  instantly  started  ashore  with  Mr.  Gull 
and  a  couple  of  men,  to  get  the  gold  at  once  from 
Mr.  Curtis,  in  order  that  there  might  be  no  delay 
in  getting  to  sea  and  overhauling  the  brig,  if  only 
to  give  him  a  lesson  in  trading  etiquette.  At  this 
time  slave-traders  were  not  overscrupulous  in  their 
dealing,  and  among  themselves  were  little  better 
than  pirates,  for  they  would  seldom  hesitate  to 
overhaul  or  rob  each  other,  knowing  that  the  slaver 
robbed  could  get  no  redress  without  admitting  guilt 
of  similar  transactions. 

By  the  time  he  returned,  the  barque  was  hove 
short,  and  her  sails  ready  to  sheet  home,  and  the 
young  lady,  who  had  already  gone  below  to  her 
cabin,  was  not  given  much  thought  by  either  her 
father  or  the  old  skipper.  As  the  boat  drew  up 
alongside,  I  noticed  Mr.  Curtis  aboard,  but  he  took 
no  thought  of  me  as  he  came  on  deck.  In  an  in 
stant  we  had  hooked  the  boat  on  and  whisked  her 

219 


on  deck,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  we  were  start 
ing  out  to  sea  before  a  light  westerly  breeze  that 
sent  us  along  about  five  knots. 

I  cleared  the  guns  and  loaded  them  all,  and  then 
a  man  was  sent  aloft  to  keep  a  lookout  for  a  sail, 
which  we  all  hoped  might  be  the  Yankee  brig.  We 
were  on  our  course  for  the  African  coast,  but  might 
alter  it  if  occasion  offered. 

The  old  barque  sailed  well  with  her  new  top 
masts,  and,  if  anything,  she  showed  a  bit  faster, 
as  her  main  was  now  a  foot  higher  and  her  new- 
cut  topsail  a  little  deeper.  Much  of  her  fine  gear 
was  gone,  but  what  we  had  purchased  in  Funchal 
was  of  the  best  quality,  and  we  had  lines  enough 
to  rig  another  ship.  Altogether  she  made  a  good 
showing,  and  even  Mr.  Gull's  crew,  who  had  eaten 
much  goat  meat,  and  in  consequence  were  in  prime 
condition,  were  not  sorry  to  get  back  aboard  her. 

All  day  we  held  to  the  southward  over  an  almost 
glassy  ocean,  ruffled  here  and  there  by  the  falling 
breeze,  and  by  sunset  we  were  rewarded  by  Big 
Jones's  yell  from  the  foretop  :  "  Sail  dead  ahead, 


sir." 


We  were  going  too  slow  to  tell  just  what  the 
vessel  might  be  before  dark.  Her  royals  were  show 
ing  white  on  the  clear  blue  line,  and  the  sun  went 
down  before  even  her  topsails  rose  above  the  hori 
zon.  The  white  of  her  cloth,  however,  gave  us 

220 


some  hope,  for  Americans  used  white  canvas,  and 
the  brig  could  not  be  very  far  ahead  of  us,  and  un 
doubtedly  bound  on  the  same  course. 

It  was  calm  all  night,  but  somehow  the  barque 
slid  along,  and  by  daylight  the  fellow  ahead  could 
be  made  out  plainly  not  over  three  miles  distant. 
It  was  the  brig,  and  the  long  skipper  was  evidently 
not  much  disturbed  at  our  approach,  for  he  took 
in  his  after  stunsails  and  wallowed  along  slowly 
over  the  smooth  swell. 

We  were  through  breakfast  before  we  knew  any 
thing  of  Howard's  plans,  although  there  had  been 
much  speculation  among  the  men  forward,  some, 
who  had  suffered  in  the  fracas  the  evening  before, 
being  especially  anxious  to  try  conclusions  with  the 
men  who  had  inadvertently  dropped  the  chest  and 
themselves  on  top  of  them  and  their  goat  meat  in 
the  small  boat. 

Gus,  a  stout  Swede,  and  Pat,  a  heavy-built  little 
Irishman,  showed  bandaged  arms  which  they  wished 
avenged,  and  Jennings,  a  Dutchman,  who  was  a 
good  sailor,  poked  his  swathed  head  over  the  rail 
and  swore  an  unintelligible  oath  at  the  Yankee. 
Hawkson  stood  upon  the  poop  and  watched  the 
brig  steadily,  until  Hicks  and  Howard  came  from 
below. 

"  Will  he  fight?  "  asked  Hicks,  coming  to  the  old 
mate's  side. 

221 


"  Did  you  ever  see  a  Yankee  sailor  that 
wouldn't?"  said  Hawkson.  "No  fear!  You'll 
see  all  the  fighting  you  want,  if  we  come  in  range, 
—  an'  we're  mighty  near  that  now." 

"  We'll  take  him  before  eight  bells,"  said  How 
ard,  without  interest,  as  though  it  were  a  thing  he 
did  every  day.  "  Get  the  small  arms  ready,  and 
stand  by." 

We  were  nearing  the  brig,  although  only  going 
about  three  knots  an  hour,  and  when  within  about 
a  mile  of  her,  a  puff  of  white  flew  from  her  star 
board  quarter,  and  in  a  few  moments  later  a  six- 
pound  shot  landed  with  a  loud  bang  against  our 
side,  and  smashed  through  into  the  'tween-decks, 
drowning  the  faint  boom  of  the  gun  with  its  slam 
ming  around  below. 

"  He,  he,  he  !  "  laughed  Howard,  his  ugly  mouth 
showing  barely  a  trace  of  amusement.  "  He  means 
fight  without  any  talk.  That's  plain  enough.  Sup 
pose  you  pop  him  one  or  two,  just  to  try  the  range." 

Hawkson  stepped  down  on  the  main-deck  and 
went  to  a  forward  gun. 

"  Keep  her  off  a  couple  of  points,"  he  bawled 
to  Henry,  and,  as  the  barque  yawed  a  little,  he  fired. 

We  watched  to  see  the  shot  strike,  and  saw  a 
jet  of  water  thrown  against  the  brig's  side,  telling 
plainly  that  the  ball  had  struck  at  or  below  the 
water-line.  Several  men  cheered,  but  behind  me 

222 


I  heard  a  fierce  oath.  Turning,  I  saw  Martin  glar 
ing  savagely  at  Hawkson,  while  near  him  stood 
Anderson  with  a  scowl  on  his  face.  Even  as  I 
looked  in  surprise,  the  wily  Scot  caught  my  eye, 
and  his  look  changed. 

"  Tis  a  pity  it  didn't  hit  him  and  cut  his  mast 
out.  Ye  may  ken  it's  far  better  to  knock  out  a 
spar  in  a  chase,"  said  he  to  me,  in  a  low  voice  that 
Hawkson  could  not  hear.  His  tone  was  not  nat 
ural,  however,  and  I  wondered  at  him  for  some 
time  afterward,  and  thought  of  the  possible  ways 
the  long  skipper  could  have  heard  of  the  barque's 
treasure-chest  in  the  lazarette  that  he  had  run  oft 
with  so  handily.  We  were  soon  busy  firing  the 
guns  of  the  port  broadside  as  fast  as  we  could  serve 
them  at  the  enemy,  now  well  within  range. 

Shot  were  striking  the  barque  often,  for  the 
Yankee  was  making  excellent  practice  with  his  light 
guns,  but  no  one  had  been  injured  aboard.  This 
being  cut  up  did  not  suit  Howard.  He  valued  the 
old  vessel  too  highly  to  have  her  hurt  badly,  and 
knew  also  the  difficulty  of  repairing  old  timbers. 

"  Let  her  head  up  half  a  point,"  said  he,  and  we 
were  soon  dead  astern  of  the  brig  and  creeping  up 
toward  her,  our  own  guns  unable  to  fire,  and  re 
ceiving  only  the  fire  of  one  little  six-pounder  they 
brought  on  the  poop.  This  single  gun  made  havoc 
with  our  sails,  hitting  them  time  and  again,  and 

223 


B  ARUE 


tearing  our  outer  jib  so  badly  that  it  was  useless. 
We  drew  closer,  and  suddenly  the  Yankee  ceased 
firing.  We  were  very  dose  to  him  now,  and  the 
long  skipper  could  be  easily  seen  leaning  indolently 
upon  the  poop-rail,  watching  us  with  apparent  un 
concern. 

Hawkson  took  up  a  speaking-trumpet  and  bawled 
out. 

"  Heave  that  vessel  to,  or  we'll  sink  you,"  he 
roared. 

The  long  captain  put  his  hand  to  his  ear,  as  if 
unable  to  understand,  and  the  hail  was  repeated. 

"  I  can't  heave  her  to,"  drawled  the  fellow. 
"  There's  too  many  men  aboard  her,  an'  they  won't 
let  me." 

Yankee  Dan  now  came  from  below,  where  he 
had  taken  his  daughter  for  protection,  and  gazed 
at  the  brig. 

"It's  Long  Tom  Shannon,"  said  he,  "and  it 
would  have  been  a  lot  better  if  we  hadn't  come  up 
with  him.  It's  strange  you  didn't  know  him,  the 
worst  rascal  on  the  coast." 


224 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

WE  REPEL   BOARDERS 

THERE  was  no  one  in  sight  aboard  the  brig  save 
the  skipper  and  the  man  at  the  wheel,  but  we  knew 
she  had  a  full  crew.  The  barque  hauled  up  rapidly, 
even  while  the  mate  and  skipper  spoke,  and  we 
stood  at  the  port  guns,  ready  to  let  loose  a  broad 
side  that  would  finish  our  enemy. 

"  Hard  aport,"  came  the  order,  and  we  expected 
to  swing  quickly  to  starboard,  and  thus  bring  each 
gun  to  bear  at  close  range,  our  heavier  battery  of 
twelve-pounders  being  sufficient  to  cripple  any  ves 
sel  the  size  of  the  brig,  who,  with  her  little  six- 
pounders,  could  hardly  hope  for  escape. 

Some  one,  I  think  it  must  have  been  Martin,  let 
fly  the  jib-sheet  as  a  little  air  filled  it,  and  prevented 
our  paying  off  rapidly,  and,  as  we  went,  we  had  the 
satisfaction  of  seeing  the  brig  port  his  helm  also, 
and  swing  up  ahead  of  us,  while  he  opened  again 
with  his  gun  on  the  poop.  Hawkson  saw  the  mis 
take,  or  trick,  whichever  it  was,  with  the  head-sheet, 

225 


BLC     BARE 


and,  roaring  out  orders  to  flatten  it  in,  he  sprang 
down  upon  the  main-deck,  followed  by  Gull  and 
Henry,  and  rushed  forward  to  the  braces. 

A  shot  from  the  brig's  six-pounder  struck  Pete, 
a  dago,  and  cut  him  almost  in  half,  flinging  him 
bodily  upon  Anderson,  both  going  into  the  starboard 
scuppers  in  a  heap.  Then,  before  the  long  Yankee 
captain  realized  what  we  were  about,  we  had  braced 
sharp  on  the  starboard  tack  forward,  and  he,  think 
ing  we  would  haul  up  to  bring  our  battery  to  bear, 
came  up  into  the  wind,  and,  falling  off,  drifted  down 
upon  us  until  it  was  certain  we  would  be  alongside 
in  a  few  minutes. 

"  Tumble  up  here,  ye  bullies,"  he  cried,  in  his 
drawling  tones,  and,  as  he  spoke,  his  men  came 
bounding  from  below,  rushing  for  the  starboard 
fore-rigging,  to  come  aboard  us  the  instant  the 
vessels  fouled.  Luckily  the  battery  was  loaded, 
and  in  an  instant  Hawkson  was  at  the  guns  with 
Gull,  Henry,  and  irryself,  bawling  for  men  to  leave 
the  main-braces  and  lend  a  hand,  while  Howard 
himself  rolled  the  wheel  hard  up  again. 

The  brig  fell  off  until  her  jib-boom  came  across 
the  poop,  where  Hicks  and  a  couple  of  men  tried  to 
bear  it  off  astern.  They  only  partly  succeeded,  but 
they  managed  to  keep  it  clear  of  the  backstays  and 
prevent  fouling,  while  the  brig's  crew  fired  several 
shot  into  us,  getting  in  return  our  four  heavy 

226 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


twelves,  that  did  some  execution  among  them,  sev 
eral  men  falling  upon  the  deck  at  the  discharge. 
Howard  jumped  forward  on  the  poop,  calling  for 
men  to  repel  boarders,  and,  after  firing  the  last 
gun,  we  swarmed  up  the  poop-ladder  to  check  the 
piratical-looking  crew  that  had  now  left  everything 
on  the  brig's  deck,  and  was  climbing  into  her  chains, 
armed  with  cutlass  and  pistol,  for  a  spring  aboard 
us. 

The  long  skipper  balanced  himself  on  the  fore 
sheer-pole,  with  his  cutlass  swinging  in  his  hand 
and  a  belt  stuck  full  of  pistols.  In  an  instant  he 
gave  a  yell  for  his  men  to  follow,  and  sprang  with 
the  ease  of  a  cat  upon  our  poop-rail,  right  among 
us.  It  was  a  long  jump,  and  only  possible  for  a 
man  of  great  length  of  limb. 

"  Come  on,  Brannigan,"  he  drawled  out  to  his 
mate,  making  a  slash  at  Howard's  bare  poll,  but  the 
old  skipper  warded  off  the  blow,  while  we  rushed 
in  upon  him.  Then  we  were  favoured  by  a  most 
singular  turn  of  fortune,  aided  by  Hawkson's  skill. 

A  lively  little  puff  of  wind  filled  our  spreading 
canvas  and  shoved  the  barque  ahead.  Before  the 
brig  could  quite  reach  us,  we  had  drawn  a  couple 
of  fathoms  clear.  One  fellow  threw  a  grappling- 
hook  over  our  rail,  but  Bill  cut  the  line.  Hawkson 
jumped  for  the  forebrace,  calling  for  men  to  follow, 
and,  before  the  brig's  crew  realized  it,  we  had  ex- 

227 


tended  the  couple  of  fathoms  into  a  dozen,  and 
were  slipping  along  before  the  light  breeze  very 
handsomely  indeed. 

In  vain  did  the  Yankee  crew  fire  at  us  with  their 
small  arms.  Not  a  soul  was  hit,  and,  while  their 
helmsman  rolled  the  wheel  up  to  follow  in  our  wake, 
I  trained  the  heavy  stern-chasers  upon  him,  and 
sent  a  couple  of  shots  through  his  foresail,  which 
rendered  that  piece  of  canvas  worse  than  useless. 
While  these  affairs  were  taking  place,  Shannon 
was  having  a  lively  time  of  it  on  our  poop.  He 
sprang  away  from  the  first  rush  upon  him,  but  so 
covered  our  men  that  his  own  could  not  deliver 
an  effective  shot  without  danger  of  killing  their 
leader.  He  bawled  lustily  for  his  mate,  Brannigan, 
and,  being  so  hard  pressed,  he  could  not  turn  to 
see  what  had  happened,  wondering  why  he  had 
been  so  suddenly  deserted. 

Then  he  heard  shouting  recede  astern,  and,  as 
he  listened  to  Mr.  Brannigan's  tongue  expressing 
the  grossest  possible  encomiums  upon  us,  he  realized 
the  game  was  up.  He  sprang  backward  a  space 
and  turned  to  clear  the  rail,  preferring  to  take  his 
chances  swimming  back  to  his  vessel  than  to  accept 
our  hospitality.  At  this  instant,  however,  Yankee 
Dan  sprang  upon  him  from  behind  and  clasped  him 
firmly  around  the  legs,  at  the  same  time  calling  for 
some  one  to  bring  a  lashing  to  make  him  fast.  The 

228 


BLACK,  BA 


plucky  trader  would  have  had  a  hard  time  of  it 
but  for  Henry.  Shannon  tore  him  clear,  and  was 
about  to  heave  him  over  the  side  also,  when  the 
ferret-faced  man,  with  a  bound  like  a  monkey, 
fastened  those  terrible  fingers  of  his  into  Shannon's 
throat.  It  was  useless  to  try  to  shake  him  off,  for 
well  I  knew  the  fatal  strength  of  his  grip.  We  let 
him  hold  on  while  we  passed  a  line  about  the  strug 
gling  man,  hoping  we  would  get  him  fast  before  the 
strangle  would  kill. 

The  long  man's  struggles  were  terrific.  Twice 
he  flung  Gull  and  myself  from  him,  giving  Yankee 
Dan  a  kick  that  shot  him  clear  across  the  deck,  and 
landed  him  helpless  to  leeward.  Big  Jones  alone 
managed  to  keep  his  hold  beside  Henry,  and  I  heard 
the  high,  cackling  laugh  of  old  Howard  enjoying 
the  struggle.  Up  and  down,  sometimes  all  in  a 
tangle,  we  rolled  over  and  over  that  poop,  Shannon 
gradually  getting  blue  in  the  face  and  weakening 
under  that  horrible  grip1.  But  he  was  an  American, 
and  fought  with  the  steadiness  of  a  man  who  was 
used  to  taking  trouble  lightly.  Finally  we  drew  the 
line  close  about  him,  pinning  his  arms  to  his  sides, 
and  then  passed  a  gasket  over  his  ankles.  Then 
Henry  let  go,  but  the  want  of  air  had  done  its  work, 
and  the  long  fellow  lay  limp  as  a  rag.  We  stood 
up,  gasping  for  breath  from  our  exertions,  and 
then  Howard's  high  cackle  sounded  upon  our  ears, 

229 


BLACK^  BARQUE  * 


"  Hi,  hi,  hi  !  don't  kill  him.  Throw  a  bucket 
of  water  over  the  fellow,"  he  cried.  "  We  want 
that  man.  We  need  that  long  rascal." 

Ernest  started  to  get  a  draw-bucket,  but,  before 
he  left  the  poop,  Watkins  came  from  below  with 
a  bottle  of  spirits,  and,  running  to  the  long  skipper, 
raised  his  head  and  poured  a  little  into  his  mouth. 
This  nearly  finished  Henry's  work,  but,  instead  of 
choking  to  death,  Shannon  gave  a  gasp  and  choke, 
blowing  the  liquor  out  of  his  mouth. 

At  this  instant  a  shot  from  the  brig  struck  the 
deck  close  to  Watkins,  ripping  a  great  rent  in  the 
white  planks,  and  driving  a  cloud  of  splinters  among 
us.  One  of  these  long  pieces  of  pine  struck  the 
old  steward  in  the  middle  of  the  back.  It  drove 
clear  through  his  body,  and  came  out  several  inches 
in  front,  piercing  him  through  and  through.  He 
gave  a  sharp  scream,  dropped  the  bottle,  and  rose 
to  his  feet  with  staring  eyes.  Then  he  drew  forth 
a  pistol  and  pointed  it  at  my  head.  Before  he  could 
pull  the  trigger,  he  staggered  and  fell,  the  weapon 
exploding  harmlessly,  and  when  we  reached  him 
he  was  dead. 

Howard  came  to  where  he  lay,  and  gazed  down 
upon  him  for  an  instant,  while  Gull,  Hawkson,  and 
the  rest  went  at  the  long  stern-chasers,  and  opened 
fire  again  upon  the  brig,  which  was  still  within  close 
range,  I  stood  but  a  moment  gazing  at  the  old 

230 


B 


steward,  with  somewhat  mixed  feelings  in  regard 
to  him,  and,  as  Howard  ordered  a  couple  of  men 
to  carry  him  below,  I  joined  the  rest  at  the  guns. 

We  now  delivered  such  a  heavy  and  accurate  fire 
upon  the  pirate  slaver  that  it  soon  silenced  him,  and 
in  half  an  hour  we  were  well  out  of  range,  leaving 
him  with  his  foremast  over  the  side  and  several  of 
his  numerous  crew  killed  and  wounded. 

We  had  lost  two  men,  Pete,  the  dago,  and  Wat- 
kins,  the  steward,  while  a  fellow  named  Guinea 
was  badly  wounded  in  the  leg,  and  a  German  sailor, 
named  Johns,  had  received  a  bullet  through  the 
arm.  Altogether  a  heavy  loss  for  a  vessel  without 
a  fighting  crew.  We  had  had  a  narrow  escape  from 
being  boarded  by  a  stronger  force,  and,  while  I 
knew  we  would  have  given  a  good  account  of  our 
selves,  our  officers  showed  good  judgment  in  not 
engaging  too  closely  a  force  of  Americans  with  our 
mongrel  crowd.  The  brig  was  at  our  mercy  before 
we  finished,  but  there  was  nothing  to  be  gained 
by  taking  her,  and  Howard  seemed  more  than  sat 
isfied  in  having  taken  her  skipper.  I  expected  him 
to  lay  the  barque  across  the  brig's  bow,  and  fire  at 
her  until  she  sank,  but  instead  he  kept  straight  away 
on  his  course,  without  thought  of  revenge  further 
than  the  chastisement  already  administered. 

As  we  loaded  the  guns  for  the  last  time,  holding 


231 


the  fire  in  reserve,  a  voice  broke  upon  our  ears  that 
had  grown  familiar  of  late. 

"  I  wanter  know  !  I  wanter  know  !  What  the 
devil  has  happened  around  here,  anyway?"  it 
drawled.  "  Am  I  a  soger,  an'  this  here  a  battle 
field  covered  with  blood  and  glory,  or  am  I  on  a 
stinking  slave-ship?  That's  what's  worryin'  me." 

And  then  Shannon  proceeded  to  pronounce  the 
grossest  possible  things  upon  us. 


232 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

OUR   CAPTAIN 

CAPTAIN  SHANNON  had  recovered  and  had  tried 
to  rise  into  a  sitting  position,  but  the  lines  upon 
him  were  none  too  softly  drawn,  and  he  found  him 
self  stiff  as  a  mummy,  being  lashed  from  above 
his  able  elbows  to  his  long  and  pointed  shoes. 

Mr.  Curtis,  who  had  arrived  on  deck  in  time 
to  take  part  in  the  fracas,  now  insisted  that  our 
captive  be  set  free  on  the  promise  that  he  would 
not  attempt  to  either  make  further  disturbances  or 
go  overboard. 

"  Disturbance !  I  wanter  know,"  said  Shannon, 
"who's  the  one  makin'  the  disturbance?  Here  I 
just  politely  hopped  aboard  your  ole  barque,  an' 
some  gorilla  in  breeches  nabs  me  by  the  mizzen  and 
jest  naturally  stops  my  bazoo.  Why  didn't  ye 
finish  the  job  instead  o'  bringing  me  to  again  to 
swing  me  at  your  yard-arm." 

"  We  don't  intend  to  swing  you,"  said  Curtis. 

233 


BLAC 


"  If  you  behave  yourself,  we'll  promise  not  to  harm 
you  until  —  until  —  " 

"  Until  what,  I  wanter  know  ?  "  said  Shannon. 

It  was  evident  that  Mr.  Curtis  had  meant  to  say 
that  he  would  deliver  him  over  to  the  authorities 
of  law  and  order  at  the  first  port  touched,  but,  upon 
consideration,  this  seemed  manifestly  absurd.  The 
Gentle  Hand  was  not  hunting  authorities  for  law 
and  order  just  at  the  time,  and  the  matter  must 
necessarily  be  settled  by  the  parties  interested,  which, 
after  all,  is  considered  not  unfair  by  most  human 
beings  who  do  not  care  to  bother  their  neighbours 
with  their  personal  affairs. 

While  this  was  taking  place,  Miss  Allen,  who 
had  remained  below  to  escape  injury  during  the 
engagement,  now  appeared  on  deck,  and  instantly 
noticed  the  captive.  She  gazed  at  him  in  aston 
ishment,  and  asked  how  he  came  aboard. 

He  seemed  as  much  surprised  at  seeing  a  woman 
aboard  a  slaver  as  if  she  had  been  a  naval  officer 
in  uniform.  As  he  solemnly  swore  that  he  would 
not  fight  any  more,  his  lashings  were  cast  adrift 
below  his  waist,  and  he  was  raised  to  his  feet. 

"  Well,  I  wanter  know,"  was  his  first  comment, 
as  he  stood  looking  at  the  trader's  daughter.  "  Be 
you  goin'  to  make  the  middle  passage,  miss?" 

The  "  middle  passage  "  was  that  from  the  slave 
coast,  with  human  freight,  to  the  point  of  destina- 

234 


BLACK-  BARUE 


tion  of  the  slave,  and  the  term  was  used  to  dis 
tinguish  that  part  of  the  voyage  from  the  one  out 
and  the  return.  The  term  was  American,  but  ap 
plied  as  well  to  British  ships,  who,  like  ourselves, 
sailed  first  out  of  some  English  port.  Miss  Allen 
smiled  at  the  long  fellow  and  looked  into  his  faded 
yellow  eyes,  but  she  disdained  to  answer  him,  and 
he  was  hustled  forward  by  several  men,  while  he 
broke  forth  afresh  in  a  low  tone,  pouring  a  stream 
of  the  foulest  invective  upon  them  in  the  easy  and 
indolent  manner  that  was  characteristic  of  his  speech. 

During  the  following  fortnight  we  made  good 
way  to  the  southward,  passing  the  high  peak  of 
Teneriffe  the  third  day  out  of  Funchal,  leaving 
it  a  dark  cloud  upon  the  eastern  horizon.  We  held 
our  course  now  closer  in  toward  the  coast,  but  still 
distant  enough  to  be  offshore  from  any  cruiser  that 
might  be  watching  for  slave-ships. 

Then  we  crossed  the  line  and  stood  in  through 
the  Guinea  Current  for  the  Gulf,  heading  straight 
for  the  Bight  of  Benin. 

Our  captive  had  by  this  .time  given  abundant 
evidence  that  he  could  be  trusted  about  the  decks 
without  danger  of  his  trying  to  escape.  In  fact, 
he  appeared  to  take  a  fancy  to  The  Gentle  Hand. 

Martin,  who  appeared  drawn  to  the  fellow,  several 
times  announced  that  it  was  a  shame  to  keep  his 
hands  in  irons,  and,  after  repeating  this  to  Henry 

235 


ARQUE 


and  Mr.  Gull  for  some  days,  it  reached  Hawkson 
and  the  captain. 

We  were  now  three  men  short  in  the  crew,  and 
an  extra  man,  especially  of  Shannon's  build  and 
energy,  was  a  matter  to  be  considered.  The  mate 
held  out  strenuously  for  either  putting  the  long  fel 
low  ashore  or  hanging  him  forthwith,  but,  as  Cur 
tis,  Hicks,  and  the  rest  were  absolutely  set  against 
such  a  measure  as  capital  punishment,  and  the  land 
was  some  distance  off,  the  inevitable  took  place. 
That  is,  Shannon  was  practically  shanghaied  into 
the  ship,  but  chose  to  sign  articles  of  his  own  free 
will  to  become  a  member  of  her  crew,  and  was 
regularly  installed. 

His  great  delight  was  to  dwell  humourously  upon 
the  adventure  of  the  treasure-box  in  Funchal,  tell 
ing  at  some  length  how  Brannigan,  his  mate,  who 
had  come  aboard  in  the  chest,  had  dropped  right 
upon  Jennings,  the  Dutch  sailor's  back,  when  he 
went  over  the  side.  This  accounted  for  the  state 
of  Jennings's  head,  for  the  skipper  assured  us  that 
Mr.  Brannigan  was  a  man  of  parts,  and  could  do 
up  a  whole  ship  full  of  square-heads.  He  explained 
how  angry  he  had  become  at  the  mistake  he  had 
made  in  taking  Mr.  Gull's  boat  for  the  one  meant 
for  him,  and  how  he  had  thrashed  each  member 
of  the  boat's  crew  for  not  pulling  harder  and  get 
ting  under  the  stern  half  a  minute  sooner.  The 

236 


only  thing  that  prevented  our  capture  in  the  last 
encounter  was  the  fact  that  Brannigan  had  failed 
to  jump  aboard,  but  if  he  had,  the  two  of  them 
could  easily  have  taken  the  barque. 

While  we  had  some  doubts  about  the  last  state 
ment,  we  were  entertained  to  a  high  degree,  and 
Shannon  became  rapidly  a  favourite.  More  espe 
cially  as  we  had  already  had  some  evidence  of  his 
prowess,  and  a  look  from  his  faded  eyes  following 
a  drawling  request  for  tobacco  or  other  commodity 
had  the  usual  effect  of  producing  considerable  at 
tention  from  the  person  addressed.  His  arms,  of 
course,  had  been  delivered  aft,  but  he  had  a  way 
of  gazing  at  one  that  made  a  person  feel  that  his 
good-  will  was  of  the  utmost  value.  Martin  was 
his  devoted  companion,  and  Anderson,  who  had 
been  badly  bruised  and  stunned  by  the  shot  that 
had  killed  Pete,  even  forgave  the  damage  and  ap 
peared  much  more  friendly  than  we  had  reason  to 
expect.  Bill  and  I  had  several  talks  over  the  Scot's 
peculiar  manner  with  the  stranger,  and  we  became 
more  friendly  and  confidential  over  the  subject. 
Big  Jones  kept  his  own  counsel,  and  seemed  to 
admire  the  long  limbs  of  the  Yankee  skipper,  yet 
did  not  care  too  much  for  his  company. 

Jorg,  with  a  gang  of  helpers  consisting  of  Tom 
and  Tim,  two  Liverpool  dock-rats  of  the  other 
watch,  and  Ernest  and  Heligoland,  kept  hard  at 

237 


BLAC1L  BAROUE 


work  repairing  the  damage  done  us  by  the  brig's 
six-pounders,  and  were  hardly  finished  by  the  time 
we  sighted  the  low  coast  near  Lagos. 

The  haze  which  hangs  over  the  surf  in  the  Guinea 
Gulf  hides  the  land  until  a  vessel  is  almost  upon 
it.  We  were  close  in,  and  could  hear  the  dull  thun 
der  of  the  swell  falling  upon  the  sand  before  we 
realized  that  the  run  was  over,  and  the  work  of 
trading  and  capturing  human  beings  would  begin. 

No  time  was  lost  after  we  came  to  soundings. 
The  boats  were  made  ready  and  the  anchors  gotten 
over  the  bows,  while  the  topsails,  though  dewed 
up,  were  left  hanging  ready  to  sheet  home  at  a 
moment's  warning.  A  man  was  posted  in  the.  fore- 
top  all  day,  and  everything  done  to  prevent  a  sur 
prise  of  some  prowling  man-of-war.  Even  Hawk- 
son  showed  signs  of  peculiar  alertness,  and  his 
nervousness,  though  slight,  was  quickly  transmitted 
to  both  Gull  and  Henry. 

Only  old  Howard  seemed  impervious  to  the  ex 
citement,  and  ambled  about  the  poop  unconcernedly, 
watching  the  shore  until  we  had  reached  the  mouth 
of  a  low,  marshy  river. 

.  The  breeze  was  off  the  land,  and  the  barque  was 
hove  to,  while  the  small  boat  was  manned  and  sent 
in  with  Yankee  Dan  and  Hicks  to  see  if  there  were 
any  negroes  to  be  procured. 

I  managed  to  pull  stroke  oar,  and  went  more  to 
238 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


see  how  the  business  was  to  be  conducted  than  any 
thing  else.  We  had  half  a  dozen  muskets  in  the 
boat,  with  powder  and  lead,  to  use  in  defence,  if 
necessary,  or  in  trade  if  possible.  Yankee  Dan 
was  so  nervous  that  Hicks  insisted  on  taking  the 
tiller  as  we  headed  for  the  beach,  and  he  picked 
up  a  loaded  gun  and  laid  it  handy  upon  the  stern- 
sheets  in  case  of  emergency. 

The  breeze  being  light  and  offshore,  the  heat 
of  the  equatorial  sun  was  intense.  It  was  about 
nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  the  barque  stood 
in,  and  it  was  nearly  eight  bells  now,  the  sun  being 
at  its  height,  and  the  sky  a  brazen  dome  of  heat 
above  us. 

It  took  quite  half  an  hour  to  pull  in,  for  the 
shore  was  really  several  miles  distant,  and  by  the 
time  we  neared  the  huge  white  combers  rolling  in 
upon  the  sand,  we  were  so  hot  that  under  other  con 
ditions  an  upset  in  the  breakers  would  have  been 
welcomed  by  all  hands. 

As  it  was,  we  skirted  the  shore  just  outside  the 
lift  of  the  outer  breaker,  and  soon  found  an  open 
ing  over  the  bar  at  the  river  mouth.  Hicks  headed 
in  through  this  opening,  regardless  of  consequences, 
and  we  were  soon  carried  by  the  current  well  in 
behind  the  southern  point  of  sand.  Here  we  found 
the  marshy  banks  of  the  river  stretching  away  in 
land,  and  upon  one  just  behind  a  little  rise  covered 


THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

with  low  trees,  we  saw  the  slave  factory,  as  the 
pens  were  called  where  the  unfortunates  were  cor 
ralled. 

There  was  not  a  sign  of  life  anywhere,  and  the 
only  sound  that  broke  the  glaring  stillness  was  the 
deep-toned  roar  of  the  surf  outside. 

Suddenly  there  was  a  sharp  "  ping,"  and  a  crack 
upon  the  boat's  gunwale,  followed  by  the  report 
of  a  rifle. 

"  Way  enough,"  said  Hicks,  calmly.  And  we 
rested  on  our  oars,  with  our  chins  on  our  shoulders, 
trying  to  see  who  had  welcomed  us  so  cordially. 

Yankee  Dan  stood  up  and  waved  his  hat  from 
side  to  side,  in  token  of  friendship,  and  almost  in 
stantly  a  man  strode  out  from  the  palisade,  now  but 
fifty  fathoms  distant. 

"  Stop  that  firing  and  come  aboard,"  bawled  the 
trader. 

"  Give  way  together,"  said  Hicks,  and  we  sent 
the  boat  rapidly  toward  the  beach,  and  ran  her  nose 
high  and  dry  on  the  sand. 


240 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

MY    FIRST    GLIMPSE   OF   SLAVERY 

A  HEAVY-BUILT,  squat  Guinea,  as  the  Portuguese 
here  are  called,  greeted  us  as  we  sprang  ashore. 
He  was  a  villainous-looking  scoundrel,  and  his  rifle 
and  knife  did  little  to  improve  his  formidable  ap 
pearance.  His  white  teeth  showed  in  an  ugly  smile, 
as  he  explained  in  broken  English  that  we  had  been 
mistaken  for  the  boat  of  a  British  cruiser  that  had 
been  lately  on  the  coast,  and  he  had  fired  at  us 
accordingly. 

Hicks  was  not  ready  to  believe  his  lie,  and,  had 
it  not  been  for  the  trader,  would  undoubtedly  have 
pistolled  him  where  he  stood,  but  Dan  was  used 
to  the  tricks  of  the  pirates,  and  knew  better  than 
to  show  his  feelings.  Several  rascally  black  men 
armed  with  rifles  now  came  from  the  palisade,  and 
we  seized  our  rifles  from  the  boat  to  be  ready  for 
any  tricks.  The  Guinea,  however,  only  grinned 
and  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  invited  us  to  his 
place  to  consider  business.  His  followers,  dressed 

241 


BLACK.  BARUE 


only  in  gee-strings  and  ammunition-belts,  laid  aside 
their  arms  in  token  of  friendship,  and  thus  reas 
sured  we  filed  into  the  enclosure. 

If  I  had  at  any  time  doubted  my  distaste  for  the 
life  I  was  leading,  there  could  have  been  no  chance 
for  such  a  thing  after  entering  that  "  factory  "  where 
slaves  were  made.  Of  all  the  horrible  places  on 
earth,  save  perhaps  the  hold  of  the  overdue  slaver 
at  the  end  of  the  middle  passage,  that  filthy  den 
was  the  most  awful.  In  the  mire  made  by  their 
own  dung,  like  a  lot  of  hogs,  the  cursed  sons  of 
Ham  lay  or  stood  in  the  fierce  sunshine,  awaiting 
the  coming  of  some  pirates  like  ourselves  to  take 
them  to  a  foreign  land,  and  sell  them  into  compara 
tive  comfort  and  luxury  to  work  for  their  white 
masters.  Ugly  they  were  in  the  extreme,  their 
black,  brutish  faces  having  nothing  more  human 
about  them  than  those  of  apes,  but  even  monkeys 
should  be  shown  some  consideration  if  they  would 
be  made  to  live.  Women  with  infants  were  kept 
in  a  separate  pen,  but  the  older  ones  were  thrown 
in  with  the  men,  without  a  vestige  of  clothing,  not 
even  a  clout  or  gee-string.  The  younger  girls  the 
Guinea  kept  in  his  own  house,  having  over  fifty  that 
he  formed  into  a  seraglio  for  himself  and  guards. 

Yankee  Dan  showed  at  once  his  familiarity  with 
the  business  in  hand,  and  instantly  began  negotia 
tions  by  prodding  a  stalwart  black  in  the  ribs,  and 

242 


BLAC1L  BAR.QUE 


pinching  his  biceps,  while  the  poor  creature  smiled 
and  grinned,  jabbering  t  something  unintelligible, 
but  at  the  same  time  trying  to  show  that  he  was  a 
powerful  fellow  and  should  be  taken  away  to  work. 

The  hot  stench  of  the  pen  made  me  sick,  and  for 
a  time  I  was  nauseated  to  a  degree.  Gradually  I 
became  used  to  it,  but  noticed  that  Gus  and  another 
man  were  upset.  As  for  Hicks,  he  simply  kept  his 
handkerchief  to  his  nose  and  gasped.  I  hardly 
think  he  realized  what  slaving  was  when  he  em 
barked  in  the  enterprise,  for  the  voyage  was  still 
a  thing  just  begun,  and,  with  a  hold  full  of  the 
filthy  creatures,  the  smell  can  better  be  imagined 
than  described.  I  can  only  say  that  it  was  more 
nauseating,  penetrating,  and  more  unlike  any  odour 
I  ever  before  encountered. 

In  a  short  time,  Yankee  Dan,  who  could  speak 
any  language  separately  and  fluently,  and  who  could 
curse  and  swear  in  all  combined,  had,  with  some 
persuasion  and  some  forceful  epithets,  convinced 
the  Guinea  that  he  meant  business,  and  would  take 
on  the  fifty-four  human  beings  enclosed  there  at  a 
certain  figure.  Three  other  white  men  now  entered, 
and  the  wrangling  became  animated,  the  bargain, 
however,  being  finally  closed  with  the  understanding 
that  we  would  leave  the  vicinity  by  noon  the  next 
day,  and  pay  in  gold  and  arms. 

I  was  glad  enough  to  get  clear  of  the  vile  place, 

243 


BLCK,  BARUE 


and,  as  we  men  were  not  invited  to  the  slaver's  house 
to  take  a  drink  to  show  good  feeling,  we  missed  the 
foulness  it  contained.  Hicks  accompanied  Dan  to 
the  "  palace,"  and  I  must  give  him  credit  that  he 
did  so  with  less  grace  than  he  usually  showed  upon 
occasions  of  invitation.  The  rest  of  us  sought  the 
shade  of  the  river-bank,  where  some  scrub-palms 
offered  shelter  from  the  terrible  sunshine.  Here 
we  were  joined  by  some  of  the  slaver's  guard,  who 
now  sought  every  opportunity  to  propitiate  our 
good-will,  telling  yarns  and  explaining  the  interest 
ing  back  country,  where  the  curse  of  the  bar  and 
shackle  had  laid  its  grisly  hand. 

One  of  the  guards,  although  a  black,  had  been  to 
London  as  a  free  man,  having  never  been  a  slave, 
but  belonging  to  a  Congo  tribe  that  held  sway  to 
the  southward  of  St.  Paul  de  Loando,  and  which, 
owing  to  its  control  of  a  part  of  the  coast,  had  to 
be  treated  with  respect  by  the  villains  that  scoured 
the  Bight. 

This  fellow  spoke  English  fairly  well,  and  he 
described  at  length  how  the  slave-trade  was  being 
ruined  by  the  men-of-war  that  hunted  and  cruised 
between  the  Congo  and  Senegal.  These  vessels  were 
sometimes  quite  small,  some  being  only  brigs  of  ten 
to  twelve  guns,  but  most  of  them  were  very  fast 
and  heavily  manned,  quite  able  to  overhaul  and 
capture  even  the  fast  flyers  that  plied  the  trade 

244 


BLACK.  BARQUE  M& 

against  the  law.  One  of  these  cruisers,  an  American, 
called  the  Hornet,  was  a  sloop  of  war  of  the  fastest 
type,  having  overhauled  the  Bat,  a  schooner  of  some 
two  hundred  tons,  which  had  the  record  of  being  the 
fastest  vessel  that  had  ever  sailed  out  of  New  Or 
leans. 

This  conversation  was  interesting,  especially  as 
the  cruiser  was  last  seen  off  Lagos  only  a  month 
before,  and  I  wished  more  than  ever  that  I  had  taken 
more  pains  not  to  have  joined  the  expedition.  Then 
I  thought  of  the  young  girl  aboard,  and  wondered 
at  her  father  bringing  her  into  such  scenes  of  danger 
and  bloodshed,  with  the  shadow  of  the  hangman's 
noose  from  the  yard-arm  continually  over  the  black 
barque  and  her  crew. 

Gus,  the  Swede,  spoke  uneasily  of  the  future,  but 
the  great  black  pirate  only  showed  his  teeth  and 
swore  softly  in  Portuguese.  For  him  life  meant 
very  little  indeed,  and  if  he  could  capture  a  nice 
young  girl  now  and  then  and  get  ammunition  for 
his  rifle,  it  was  all  he  desired.  No  man-of-war 
should  take  these  small  pleasures  from  him  if  des 
perate  fighting  could  prevent  it,  and,  as  for  danger, 
he  lived  on  it.  It  was  in  the  very  air  of  the  deadly 
swamps  and  forests,  and  he  survived  solely  because 
he  was  fit. 

Pointing  to  an  indistinct  object  across  the  river, 
he  broke  forth  fiercely: 

245 


B 


"  That's  all  left  of  a  fine  village.  Plenty  rum, 
plenty  slaves,  plenty  powder.  Now  all  gone.  Why  ? 
Man-of-war  fire  it  and  destroy.  Some  day  man- 
of-war  try  factory  here.  Want  to  be  here  den,'* 
and  he  patted  his  rifle-stock  affectionately.  Part 
of  the  gang  to  which  he  belonged  were  now  up  the 
river  hunting  villages  and  scattered  bands  of  ne 
groes,  but  they  were  becoming  scarce,  and  the  death- 
rate  being  high,  it  hardly  paid  going  up  after  them. 

In  a  little  while  Hicks  and  Dan  came  back,  ac 
companied  by  the  half-dozen  Portuguese  and  some 
black  fellows,  and  we  started  to  the  ship  to  make 
ready  for  our  cargo.  Slaves  were  more  plentiful 
to  the  eastward  perhaps,  but  we  would  take  what 
we  could  get  and  hurry  along,  trusting  to  evade 
a  cruiser  until  the  cargo  was  made  up. 

We  took  one  of  the  Guinea  fellows  back  with 
us  to  pilot  us  through  the  surf  on  the  bar,  and  ar 
rived  alongside  without  accident. 

A  line  of  heads  peered  over  the  topgallant-rail, 
watching  curiously  our  passenger,  and,  as  the  boat 
fell  alongside,  the  drawling  tones  of  Shannon  broke 
forth. 

"What's  niggers  at  now,  stranger?"  said  he, 
addressing-  the  Guinea. 

"  Way  down,  way  down.  Bucks  runnin*  for  ten 
to  twenty.  Fine  gals  thirty  and  forty,"  cried  the 


246 


BL1   BARQUE 


fellow  from  the  boat,  evidently  thinking  he  was 
addressing  our  commander. 

Shannon  gave  a  great  sigh,  and  looked  wistfully 
at  the  shore. 

"  An'  here  I  am,"  said  he,  "  without  a  ship.  It's 
hard  luck.  I  wanter  know,  I  wanter  know." 


247 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

WE   LAY   IN   OUR   CARGO 

THE  next  day  was  a  busy  one  aboard  The  Gentle 
Hand.  All  the  boats  were  gotten  out  early,  and  the 
barque  headed  in  shore  again.  We  had  stood  off  at 
night,  for  fear  of  a  current  setting  us  into  the  break 
ers,  and  we  did  not  care  to  let  go  an  anchor. 

By  two  bells  (nine  o'clock)  in  the  forenoon,  we 
were  close  in  to  the  bar  at  the  river  mouth,  the 
breeze  giving  us  way  at  the  rate  of  about  five  knots, 
but,  as  we  drew  under  the  land,  it  became  puffy 
and  showed  signs  of  dying  out  altogether.  It  was 
decided  not  to  go  in  any  closer,  so  the  foreyards 
were  left  full,  the  main  backed,  and  the  forestaysail 
hauled  amidship,  heaving  the  barque  to  with  a  slight 
reach  to  the  southward. 

Pretty  nearly  all  hands  tumbled  into  the  boats 
and  rowed  through  the  broiling  sunshine  for  the 
beach,  it  being  the  captain's  object  to  get  all  the 
cargo  aboard  at  once,  and  stand  off  to  work  along 
to  the  eastward. 

248 


BIACIL  BARQUE 


By  noon)  the  first  boat-load  of  the  poor  creatures 
arrived.  There  were  fourteen  of  them  closely 
packed  and  manacled  in  the  bottom  of  the  craft. 
As  they  drew  nearer,  they  set  up  a  chattering  like 
a  crowd  of  monkeys,  and  the  Guinea  in  charge 
rapped  them  severely  over  the  head  with  a  stout 
stick,  bidding  them  be  quiet.  Their  white  eyeballs 
and  teeth  shone  in  contrast  to  their  skins,  and  the 
excitement  they  were  undergoing  made  them  show 
both  eyes  and  teeth  much  more  than  usual,  giving 
them  a  strange,  wild  look.  Streaks  of  mud  and 
filth  showed  upon  their  black  bodies.  The  men  had 
little  kinky  beards  upon  their  chins  and  lips,  and 
the  women  had  huge  bunches  of  wool  on  their  heads, 
which  were  simply  great  nests  of  dirt  and  vermin. 
Poor  creatures,  they  were  hardly  human,  but  for  all 
that  I  felt  sorry  for  them  when  I  thought  of  the 
'tween-decks  of  the  barque  under  that  torrid  sun. 

Henry  hustled  them  on  deck,  and  Jorg,  with  a 
couple  of  men,  sent  them  below  at  once  to  get  them 
out  of  the  way.  By  eight  bells,  we  had  the  crowd 
below,  where  they  kept  chattering  until  Gull  went 
among  them  with  a  long  whip,  and  touched  them 
up  lustily  whenever  they  made  a  noise.  Martin, 
Anderson,  Bill,  Shannon,  and  myself  went  in  for 
the  last  boat-load. 

The  heat  was  terrible,  and  the  breeze  was  almost 
imperceptible  after  the  bar  was  crossed,  making  all 

249 


BARQUE 


hands  quiet  and  sullen  with  the  exertion.  Inside 
the  river  mouth  the  same  glaring  quiet  prevailed, 
broken  only  now  and  then  by  the  sound  of  a  gull's 
scream,  the  dull,  heavy  rumble  of  the  swell  only 
adding  to  the  desolate  stillness. 

"  T'is  a  good  coast  for  the  business,"  said  Mar 
tin,  in  a  low  tone  to  the  long  sailor,  who  was  row 
ing  stroke  oar.  I  held  the  tiller,  and  had  charge, 
but  Martin  appeared  to  think  my  rating  did  not  com 
mand  silence,  and  I  let  him  speak. 

The  fellow  Shannon  only  looked  over  his  shoulder 
up  the  turbid  stream  that  flowed  around  the  distant 
point  of  marsh  in  the  direction  of  the  heavy  forest 
beyond. 

"  What  better  place  d'ye  want  ?  'Twould  be  a 
good  one  to  find  ye  in  that  glade,"  continued  the 
Scot. 

"  There's  mighty  little  water  on  the  bar,  Scotty," 
said  Shannon.  "  What  the  devil  would  become  of 
yer  ship,  I  wanter  know  ?  " 

"Lighten  her  more,  lighten  her.  Take  out  her 
guns  and  ballast.'  She'd  be  a  floatin'  fort  until  ye 
were  ready  to  go  to  sea  full  o'  niggers.  Mon,  mon, 
na  mon-o'-war  c'u'd  come  after  ye,  an'  as  fer  small 
boats  —  hoot  !  "  And  he  gave  a  cry  of  contempt  at 
the  idea. 

"  Joust  whin  would  ye  do  these  things,  friend 
Martin?"  asked  Bill. 

250 


BL-  BARUE 


"  Shut  up,  ye  square-head.  Keep  silence  when 
men  are  speakin',  or  I'll  be  fer  whollopin'  ye  the 
minit  we  hit  the  beach,"  growled  Martin. 

Then  they  rowed  on  in  the  heat  without  a  word, 
the  regular  clank  of  the  oar-locks  sounding  over  the 
glassy  surface  of  the  stream  with  the  regularity  of 
the  ticking  of  a  clock. 

We  ran  the  boat  up  near  the  "  factory/'  and  the 
villainous  Guinea  in  charge  brought  down  the  last 
instalment  of  the  slaves.  Some  of  them  were  young 
girls  barely  in  their  teens,  but  all  without  any  cloth 
ing  whatever.  The  sun  would  have  flayed  a  white 
man  and  cooked  him  to  death  in  half  an  hour,  but 
they  appeared  not  to  suffer  with  the  heat.  Some  of 
the  girls  were  made  to  spring  into  the  river,  with 
a  line  attached,  in  order  that  they  might  get  a  last 
bath  before  entering  the  hell  in  store  for  them.  One 
tried  to  remain  under  water  and  drown  herself;  at 
least  the  Guinea  feared  that  was  her  design,  for 
he  hauled  her  in  hand  over  hand,  and  administered 
several  whacks  to  brace  her  up,  while  I  sat  and 
tried  to  invent  some  new  opprobrious  epithet  to  call 
him,  finally  exhausting  the  English  language  without 
apparent  effect. 

One  girl,  who  had  left  behind  her  brother  and 
relatives,  on  account  of  their  not  coming  up  to 
Yankee  Dan's  standard  of  fitness  for  a  middle  pas 
sage,  was  tearful  and  sad.  This  poor  creature  was 

251 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


flung  into  the  water,  and  held  by  a  strapping  black 
buck,  who  used  a  bunch  of  grass  to  scrub  her  clean. 
Her  piteous  screams  had  no  effect  on  him,  so,  when 
my  patience  was  quite  exhausted  by  the  heat,  I 
seized  an  oar.  He  was  bending  over,  and  wore  noth 
ing  but  a  gee-string.  The  swing  of  the  oar  landed 
fair  on  his  buttocks  with  all  the  weight  and  strength 
I  could  put  into  it,  and  he  shot  forward  with  a  crack, 
making  a  very  creditable  dive  into  deep  water.  It 
was  only  because  payment  had  not  been  complete 
that  bloodshed  was  averted  when  he  arose,  for  he 
made  straight  for  his  rifle,  which  had  to  be  forced 
from  him  by  half  a  dozen  pirates  as  fierce  and  power 
ful  as  himself.  Finally  we  had  the  crowd  all  aboard, 
and  shoved  off  for  the  barque,  meeting  the  boat 
with  the  Portuguese  fellow,  who  had  gone  aboard 
for  the  pay,  just  as  we  cleared  the  breakers. 

Arriving  aboard,  we  soon  had  the  blacks  below, 
and,  as  payment  had  been  made  in  gold  for  our 
cargo,  we  had  nothing  further  to  do  with  the  scoun 
drels  on  the  beach.  The  yards  were  swung,  and  we 
stood  offshore  to  take  advantage  of  the  light  breeze 
and  work  along  the  coast  to  the  eastward,  in  the 
hope  of  picking  up  the  rest  of  our  cargo  before  some 
prying  ship-of-war  should  overhaul  us.  For  several 
days  we  worked  along  without  any  luck.  One  or 
two  places  Dan  knew  of  had  been  deserted  since  the 
law  against  slaving  had  begun  to  be  enforced,  and 

252 


THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

we  had  to  row  in  through  a  heavy  surf  to  find  this 
out.  This  caused  the  loss  of  one  boat  and  the  drown 
ing  of  a  sailor  named  Tom,  an  English  cockney  chap 
of  little  account.  During  this  part  of  the  cruise, 
I  had  much  to  do  on  the  poop,  keeping  the  battery 
in  order  and  ready  for  instant  action.  I  saw  some 
thing  of  the  life  aft,  and  the  feeling  between  Mr. 
Curtis  and  Hicks,  which  had  shown  itself  that  night 
in  the  town  of  Funchal.  These  two  men,  whose 
interests  were  identical,  seldom  spoke  directly  to 
each  other  now,  and  only  when  the  trader's  daugh 
ter  appeared  on  deck  did  they  show  anything  but 
polite  hatred  in  their  speech.  Curtis  was  sarcastic, 
and  Hicks  was  almost  as  savage  by  the  time  we 
reached  Lagos  and  ran  in  to  finish  loading.  Miss 
Allen  seemed  to  avoid  both  as  much  as  possible, 
although  it  was  quite  evident  that  she  favoured  the 
bolder  of  the  two  adventurers.  Curtis  was  anything 
but  a  coward,  but  Hicks  had  a  certain  reckless  gal 
lantry  about  him  that  could  hardly  fail  to  attract. 

Forward  I  had  been  entertained  several  times  by 
Martin's  brutal  jests  regarding  affairs  aft,  and,  as 
the  girl  had  always  been  civil  to  me,  it  was  all  I 
could  do  not  to  chastise  the  rogue  for  his  foul  tongue. 
My  apparent  apathy,  however,  gave  him  cause  to 
believe  I  favoured  him,  and  soon  he  spoke  of  things 
that  caused  me  to  pay  attention  and  watch  him  more 
closely. 

253 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

I   SUSPECT   TREACHERY 

THE  night  we  stood  in  for  settlement,  there  was 
a  bright  moon  nearly  full.  We  could  hear  the  snore 
of  the  surf  before  midnight,  and  we  shortened  the 
barque  down  to  her  topsails  in  order  not  to  go  too 
fast. 

The  breeze  was  fitful  and  squally  off  the  land 
as  usual,  and  bringing  with  it  the  thick  haze  of 
pollen  from  the  rank  vegetation  on  shore.  The  air 
being  hot,  the  watch  below  stayed  on  deck  and  lay 
in  the  waterway  or  behind  the  deck-house,  trying 
to  catch  the  draught  blown  on  the  deck  from  the 
stretched  canvas  as  it  slid  under  the  foot  of  the 
main  and  foresails. 

Martin  was  lying  in  the  shadow  of  the  foremast 
to  keep  the  moon  out  of  his  eyes,  and  he  shifted  his 
position  every  little  while  as  the  bright  light  followed 
him  around  the  mast.  Beside  him  lay  Anderson, 
and  near  by,  in  the  open  moonlight,  in  total  disre 
gard  for  his  eyes,  was  stretched  the  long  skipper, 

254 


BLC.  BA 


Shannon,  prone  upon  his  back,  with  his  shirt  open 
to  catch  the  breeze. 

I  sat  near  the  fore-hatchway  and  watched  the 
shadow  of  the  fabric  above  swing  to  and  fro  upon 
the  deck  planks,  the  lines  of  the  rigging  standing 
out  sharp  and  black  on  the  white  wood,  the  dark 
blots  of  the  canvas  moving  slowly  within  a  certain 
radius  with  each  easy  roll  of  the  long  swell.  It 
was  a  bright  tropic  moon,  and  it  was  serenely  beauti 
ful.  I  lounged  there,  enjoying  the  silvery  light,  and 
hated  to  sleep  lest  I  miss  some  of  the  rare  beauty 
of  the  darker  hours. 

Gradually  the  men  on  watch  settled  themselves 
comfortably,  and  only  the  steady  tramp  of  the  man 
on  lookout  upon  the  forecastle  head,  and  Hawkson's 
step  upon  the  poop  told  of  life  aboard.  Once  or 
twice  the  mate's  hoarse  voice  sounded  gruffly,  ask 
ing  Holmberg,  who  was  at  the  wheel,  how  she 
headed,  and  the  answer  came  low  and  distinct 
through  the  quiet  night.  The  musical  hiss  and 
twinkle  of  the  side-wash  sounded  restful  upon  the 
ear  after  the  day's  toil  and  heat,  and  seemed  to  tell 
of  cool  sprays.  I  had  the  right  to  sleep,  but  only 
dozed,  thinking  of  the  disagreeable  work  in  store 
for  us.  We  would  probably  take  on  many  blacks 
here,  and  nearly,  if  not  quite,  fill  up  with  them. 
Those  already  aboard  gave  forth  an  odour  that  was 
far  from  reassuring,  coming  as  it  did  up  the  open 

255 


THE  BLACIL  BARQUE 

hatchway,  and  I  dreaded  several  hundred  more 
creatures  jammed  below  there,  where  they  must  of 
necessity  die  like  vermin  in  a  box. 

While  I  dozed,  I  became  aware  of  a  whispered 
conversation.  Soon  I  recognized  Martin's  voice, 
though  I  could  not  quite  hear  his  words.  He  seemed 
to  be  talking  to  Shannon,  who  had  now  rolled  over 
in  the  shadow  of  the  mast  alongside  of  the  Scot. 

I  listened  again,  for  the  fellow's  voice  was  eager, 
as  it  was  when  he  talked  of  any  deviltry  he  expected 
to  enjoy,  and  I  noticed  the  same  tone  he  used  to 
me  when  we  first  made  our  acquaintance,  and  when 
we  discussed  the  probability  of  the  barque  becom 
ing  a  rover  and  preying  upon  any  vessel  of  smaller 
size. 

"  D'ye  ken  that  ?  I  say,  ye  long  man,  d'ye  ken 
that?  "  said  he  in  answer  to  a  question  he  had  evi 
dently  asked.  "  'Tis  as  easy  fer  us  as  not.  There's 
Anderson  waiting  to  kill  the  mate,  an'  Jorg  willin' 
to  kill  any  one,  and  there's  Pat,  Gus,  Gilbert,  an' 
the  Doctor  willin'  to  follow.  Hoot!  we'd  make  a 
finish,  na  fear.  Why,  ye  c'u'd  whollop  half  the  crew 
yerself,  ye  long  cateran.  Didn't  ye  nigh  do  it  the 
day  ye  made  yer  jump  into  the  hooker?  Help  ye? 
Now,  now,  c'u'd  I  have  helped  ye?  Na,  na,  don't 
ask  mericles.  I  let  fly  the  jib,  but  'twould  have  been 
murder  an'  sudden  death  to  have  gone  aft  then. 
All  armed,  an'  with  that  gunner  man  fightin'  like 

256 


a  sack  o'  wildcats,  an'  the  little  fox  havin'  a  death- 
grip  on  yer  pipe.    Talk  sense  an'  to  the  p'int." 

"  You  air  a  loose-jawed  hell-dog,  I  wanter  know," 
said  Shannon.  "  D'you  suppose  it's  fear  a-keepin' 
me,  hey?  What'd  you  know  about  the  coast,  any 
ways  ?  What'd  you  want  to  try  an'  tell  me  ?  "  Then 
in  a  more  friendly  tone  :  "  I  know  you  air  a  navi 
gator.  Good  sailor,  all  right,  an'  would  stick  to  a 
job,  but  there  is  a  right  time  for  business.  I'm 
a-runnin'  this  thing,  an'  all  you've  got  to  do  is  wait 
till  I  says  the  word.  I  think  a  whole  lot  o'  ye,  Mar 
tin,  an'  would  hate  to  see  you  swing.  There  ain't 
no  one  I  cares  as  much  for,  that's  a  fact.  An'  when 
a  fellow  like  me  cares  for  a  man,  —  I  say  a  man, 
Martin,  for  that's  what  you  are,  hey  ?  When  a  fellow 
like  me  says  that,  that  same  thing,  it  stands  fer 
something.  If  it  don't,  I  wanter  know." 

This  sort  of  flattery  evidently  pleased  the  Scot. 
He  said  something  in  a  low  tone,  and  I  felt  con 
vinced  that  he  was  easily  within  the  power  of  the 
long  countryman  of  mine.  It's  strange,  but  im 
mediately  after  hearing  this,  I  must  have  lost  con 
sciousness,  for  when  I  awoke  it  was  gray  dawn 
and  a  chill  filled  the  air.  The  watch  was  called, 
and  I  turned  out  by  simply  standing  up  and  then 
sitting  down  again. 

In  a  little  while  we  washed  down  the  damp  decks, 
and  I  had  a  chance  to  get  a  look  to  the  northeast, 

257 


.  BARUE 


when  the  haze  of  the  surf  blotted  out  the  shore-line. 
By  the  time  the  Doctor  had  his  fire  started  and  we 
had  something  warm,  the  sun  rose  and  disclosed 
the  ruinous  settlement  of  Lagos. 

The  conversation  I  had  heard  disturbed  me. 
There  was  something  sinister  in  its  meaning,  and, 
while  I  had  no  love  for  the  barque,  I  did  not  care 
to  make  a  bad  matter  worse.  However,  I  had  no 
chance  to  talk  the  matter  over  until  we  had  run 
in  and  dropped  our  anchor  close  to  the  settlement, 
and  there  Yankee  Dan  appeared  on  deck  ready  to 
go  ashore  for  trading.  Howard  and  Curtis  also 
turned  out,  and  Miss  Allen  appeared  at  the  com 
panion,  very  much  interested  in  the  distant  shore, 
where  the  houses  were  just  visible  in  the  morning 
sunshine. 

She  smiled  somewhat  sadly  at  me  as  I  went  aft 
and  loosed  the  covers  from  the  stern  guns,  and  saw 
that  the  priming  was  in  good  order.  I  had  begun 
to  think  the  poor  girl  out  of  place  long  before,  and 
I  now  felt  a  sort  of  hatred  for  her  father,  who  could 
expose  her  to  such  scenes  without  any  apparent  pity. 
But  the  trader  had  become  callous  from  experience 
in  the  slaving  business,  and  saw  nothing  unusual 
in  cooping  up  a  shipful  of  human  beings.  They 
were  no  more  than  so  many  cattle  to  him,  and,  as 
to  his  daughter's  feelings,  he  had  offered  her  a 


258 


chance  to  stay  ashore.  If  she  preferred  the  scenes 
of  violence,  it  was  no  concern  of  his. 

Before  I  had  a  chance  to  see  Hawkson,  the  shore 
boat  was  called  away.  Bill,  Jones,  Jennings,  and 
myself  manned  the  whale-boat,  and  we  were  soon 
heading  in  over  the  swell  for  the  slave  factory  that 
was  known  to  exist  a  short  distance  inland.  Hicks 
and  Gull  accompanied  the  trader  ashore,  and  the 
latter  stood  at  the  steering-oar  to  pilot  us  through 
the  surf.  In  spite  of  the  calm  weather  in  the  Bight 
of  Benin,  there  is  sometimes  a  heavy  swell  that  sets 
in  from  many  miles  offshore,  where  some  passing 
disturbance  of  the  atmosphere  has  caused  a  heavy 
blow.  The  swell  is  long  and  heaving,  and  not  so 
easily  noticed  until  it  begins  to  rise  in  the  shoal 
water.  Then  its  size  develops,  and  it  goes  up  in 
a  wall  until  the  top  breaks  and  the  whole  mass  goes 
roaring  shoreward  in  a  great  smother  of  foam. 
From  the  sea  side,  the  height  of  the  breakers  is  hard 
to  judge,  and  they  are  very  apt  to  be  underestimated 
on  a  calm  day. 

Mr.  Gull  stood  up  as  we  neared  the  first  line  of 
snoring  water,  and  I  could  see  by  his  face  that 
he  was  a  bit  nervous.  This  had  its  effect  on  me, 
for  no  one  with  any  nervousness  should  attempt  to 
go  through  a  heavy  surf.  The  situation  calls  for 
absolute  coolness. 

"  Easy  now,"  came  the  order,  and  we  lay  waiting 
259 


for  a  smooth  spell.  By  some  strange  freak  of  na 
ture,  seas  always  roll  in  sequences.  That  is,  they 
will  run  in  twos  and  three  or  sixes  and  nines,  with 
a  "  smooth  "  between.  A  surfman  will  always  watch 
to  see  how  they  are  running  before  going  in.  Gull 
counted  three  heavy  fellows  that  roared  and  thun 
dered  in  a  most  appalling  manner,  and  then,  grasp 
ing  the  long  steering-oar  firmly,  sung  out  to  give 
way  lively. 

We  went  racing  for  the  beach,  and  were  doing 
well  when,  on  looking  over  the  stern,  I  saw  an  enor 
mous  sea  rising  and  coming  quickly  after  us.  It 
rose  like  a  wall  astern  and  towered  above  the  boat. 
Then  instantly  it  broke  with  a  roar  and  rush,  and 
we  were  hurled  before  it.  Gull  tried  to  hold  her 
true,  keeping  her  stern  to  the  surge,  but  she  took 
a  slew  and  the  oar  broke.  Then  she  swung  side 
ways  and  rolled  over  and  over  with  the  rush,  and 
when  I  came  to  the  surface  of  the  foam,  half-stran 
gled  by  being  so  quickly  rolled  out  of  the  boat, 
she  lay  bottom  up  some  ten  fathoms  distant,  float 
ing  in  the  smother. 

No  one  was  visible,  and  I  struck  out  for  the  craft, 
as  there  was  no  bottom  and  the  beach  was  fifty 
fathoms  distant.  Suddenly  I  saw  Bill  spattering 
and  struggling,  trying  to  reach  the  wreck,  but  show 
ing  plainly  that  he  could  not  swim  a  stroke.  Ernest 
suddenly  appeared  alongside  of  him,  and,  being 

260 


BLACK-  BARQUE 


able  to  swim  after  a  fashion,  he  aided  him  to  reach 
the  gunwale,  where  both  held  on  firmly,  ducking  the 
following  seas  that  flowed  over  them. 

Jennings  managed  to  keep  his  grip  on  the  boat, 
and  was  alongside,  holding  on,  when  I  noticed  a 
form  floating  face  downward  pass  me. 

I  was  a  fairly  good  swimmer,  although  it  is  a 
strange  fact  that  few  real  sailormen  can  swim  at 
all.  I  grasped  the  body  and  lifted  the  head  clear 
of  the  water  with  my  hand  just  as  another  sea  broke 
heavily  over  me,  dragging  and  crushing  me  down 
with  its  weight. 

My  heart  seemed  bursting  when  I  arose,  still 
holding  the  insensible  man,  and  my  first  intake  of 
breath  nearly  strangled  me.  However,  I  was  a 
powerful  fellow,  and  in  a  few  strokes  managed  to 
get  started  for  the  upturned  boat  that  now  floated 
some  distance  nearer  shore. 

In  a  few  minutes  I  reached  her,  and  Bill  relieved 
me  for  a  moment  while  I  passed  a  line  over  the 
craft's  bottom.  On  the  other  side  I  found  Jones 
and  Yankee  Dan  both  safe  and  holding  on.  To 
gether  we  managed  to  hold  Hicks,  whom  I  now 
recognized,  clear  of  the  water.  He  had  been  struck 
on  the  head  by  the  boat  or  an  oar  and  knocked  in 
sensible.  Gull  was  nowhere  about,  and  for  some 
time  we  gave  him  up  for  lost,  but  he  had  swum: 
in  on  a  broken  thwart. 

261 


B 


In  a  little  while  we  heard  shouting,  and  saw  him 
standing  on  the  sand  with  a  couple  of  black  fellows, 
who,  at  his  direction,  plunged  in  and  came  toward 
us.  The  negroes  helped  us  ashore,  and  we  hauled 
the  boat  up  clear  of  the  surf.  It  was  a  close  call, 
and  Hicks  still  appeared  either  dead  or  senseless. 
We  carried  him  up  the  beach  and  laid  him  under 
a  palm,  and  set  to  work  charing  his  wrists  and 
ankles. 

In  a  little  while  he  opened  his  eyes  and  noticed 
me. 

"What's  the  matter?"  he  asked,  faintly,  trying 
to  sit  up.  Bill  caught  his  head  and  held  it,  while 
Gull  passed  his  arm  under  him. 

"Trying  to  quit  the  expedition,"  said  Yankee 
Dan,  bluffly.  "  You  were  trying  to  leave  us,  my  boy, 
but  this  fellow,  Heywood,  here,  nabbed  you  in  time, 
and  swam  in  to  the  boat  with  you.  Otherwise  you'd 
'a'  been  drowned,  an'  that's  a  fact.  You'd  'a'  been 
drowned  sure." 

Hicks  looked  at  me  seriously  for  some  moments 
and  then  spoke: 

"  It's  hard  to  owe  one's  life  to  a  fool,  but  here's 
my  hand,  Heywood,"  said  he,  with  a  faint  smile. 

"  It's  as  hard  to  acknowledge  the  favour  from 
one,  sir,"  I  answered,  with  some  little  feeling,  but 
then  I  remembered  the  time  at  Funchal,  and  I  smiled 


262 


and  held  out  my  hand,  which  he  grasped  firmly,  and 
rose  to-  his  feet. 

Sir  John  Hicks  was  a  man  of  rather  unsavoury 
reputation,  but  he  was  not  a  man  who  would  be 
gross  enough  to  forget. 


263 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

I    MEET    CORTELLI 

WHILE  the  trader,  Mr.  Gull,  and  Hicks  were 
ashore,  there  was  no  chance  whatever  of  communi 
cating  any  of  my  suspicions  concerning  Martin  and 
Shannon.  Just  what  these  rascals  intended  to  do 
was  certainly  a  matter  of  doubt,  and,  after  all,  the 
talk  had  been  so  characteristic  of  the  Scot  that  I 
feared  I  was  taking  it  too  seriously  to  give  it  a 
thought. 

We  tramped  over  the  loose  sand  to  the  factory, 
a  couple  of  miles  inland,  and  the  heat  of  the  marsh 
was  awful.  Hicks,  who  had  hardly  recovered  from 
the  accident  of  the  morning,  had  difficulty  in  keep 
ing  up,  for  his  head  was  still  giddy  from  the  effects 
of  the  blow  he  had  received  upon  it.  The  black 
fellows,  who  had  sighted  our  barque  before  daylight, 
had  thought  nothing  of  a  run  to  the  beach,  and 
they  went  ahead  at  a  great  rate  along  the  jungle 
path,  caring  neither  for  briars,  spines,  or  any  of 
the  various  prickling  things  that  make  even  a  well- 
shod  man  hesitate  before  treading  on  them.  They 

264 


BLACIL  BARUE 


were  a  tall  and  powerful  set  of  men,  all  armed  with 
old  flint-lock  muskets  of  ancient  pattern;  doubtless 
some  of  them  had  been  used  in  the  first  war  between 
the  States  and  England.  We  finally  arrived  and 
were  ready  for  business.  The  compound,  or  slave 
corral,  was  an  immense  enclosure  completely  out 
of  sight  from  the  beach,  and  away  from  the  prying 
eyes  of  any  cruiser  that  might  be  prowling  along 
the  coast.  Felado  Cortelli,  the  half-breed  Italian 
slaver,  whose  presence  had  cursed  the  West  African 
coast  for  years,  was  in  charge,  and  he  came  forth  to 
meet  us.  Our  lack  of  arms  seemed  to  give  him 
amusement,  but  when  he  heard  how  we  had  been 
rolled  over  in  the  surf,  he  laughed  loudly. 

Within  two  hours  from  the  time  we  left  the  surf, 
our  arrangements  had  been  made,  and  we  were  lead 
ing  between  two  and  three  hundred  blacks  to  the 
beach,  where  payment  was  to  be  made,  and  they 
were  to  be  shipped  aboard,  Cortelli's  own  guard 
of  coast  pirates  making  the  escort  for  the  unfor 
tunates. 

Our  boat  came  alongside  with  its  first  load  of 
human  freight.  Hicks  and  Curtis  stood  at  the  quar 
ter-rail  watching  the  creatures,  and  for  the  first  time 
in  many  days  seemed  on  speaking  terms.  They 
appeared  to  comment  upon  a  girl  who  was  crying 
and  sobbing  bitterly,  and  who  was  shackled  to  a 
huge  buck,  who  sat  stolidly  gazing  out  to  sea. 

265 


The  oily  swell  rocked  the  boat  but  little;  the 
barque,  however,  rolled  lazily  like  a  huge  log,  swing 
ing  her  long  spars  slowly  from  side  to  side,  and  the 
momentum  of  each  swing  hove  her  down  until  her 
channels  brought  up  with  a  smacking  jar  upon  the 
surface. 

This  made  it  necessary  for  the  boatman  to  use 
some  caution,  for,  if  the  small  boat's  gunwale  caught 
anywhere  upon  the  vessel's  side  while  she  was  on 
her  downward  swing,  it  would  instantly  be  forced 
under  and  the  craft  upset. 

Cortelli  stood  at  the  break  of  the  poop,  talking 
to  the  trader,  and,  as  the  girl  was  told  to  make 
ready  for  a  spring  aboard,  he  looked  over  the  side 
and  grinned.  The  poor  creature  was  frightened 
and  shrank  back,  delaying  the  unloading. 

"  Stir  her  up,"  said  the  Guinea  to  one  of  his 
bullies. 

A  black  pirate  laid  the  lash,  and  she  screamed. 

"  Hold  on  there!  "  cried  Hicks,  leaning  over  the 
side.  "  If  you  do  that  again,  I'll  pistol  you." 

His  face  was  flushed,  and  his  hand  sought  his 
broad  leather  belt,  where  hung  his  cutlass  and  long- 
barrelled  pistol  belonging  to  the  barque's  supply. 

"  Sho,  man,  what's  the  matter?"  asked  Yankee 
Dan,  and  the  Guinea  scowled  savagely. 

"  Dis  gal  free,"  said  the  big  buck,  standing  up, 
as  he  heard  the  conversation.  "  He  no  right  to  take 

266 


BLACK.  BARUE 


her  —  nor  me.  I  Begna  Sam,  no  slave.  Lib  right 
ashore  till  you  come.  Den  he  cotch  us  both,  an' 
say  we  slave  'cause  long  sailor,  Shannon,  he  say 
he  buy  us." 

Cortelli  grinned.  It  was  not  the  first  time  he 
had  practised  this  trick,  and,  if  the  blacks  had  no 
friends  strong  enough  to  protest,  they  invariably 
went  with  the  rest  of  the  cargo. 

"  Where  are  the  girl's  people?"  asked  Hicks. 

"  What  difference  does  it  make?  "  asked  Yankee 
Dan.  "  I  see  no  difference  whether  they're  ashore 
here  or  back  in  the  timber,  do  you  ?  " 

Mr.  Curtis  nodded  encouragingly.  It  was  evident 
he  had  no  scruples  how  or  where  the  girl  had  been 
kidnapped. 

The  Guinea,  Cortelli,  shrugged  his  fat  shoulders, 
and  shot  a  venomous  look  at  the  Englishman. 

"  Shall  I  find  out  where  each  black  resides  when 
at  home?  "  he  asked,  sarcastically.  Then  he  turned 
away. 

Hicks,  instead  of  following  him,  leaned  over  the 
rail.  A  strange  look  of  sadness  came  into  his  eyes. 
He  was  a  hard  men  among  hard  men,  and  he  had 
revolted  at  the  squeal  of  a  black  woman.  I  watched 
him  a  moment,  and  looked  to  see  something  more 
happen. 

He  evidently  saw  that  to  send  the  girl  ashore 
meant  to  doom  her  to  Cortelli's  will.  There  was 

267 


E 


only  one  way,  and,  as  she  stepped  on  deck  with  the 
big  buck,  Sam,  he  went  to  him  and  asked  about  the 
girl's  people.  She  was  being  separated  from  her 
old  mother  and  crippled  sister,  neither  of  whom 
were  of  any  value  as  slaves.  Begna  Sam  was 
hustled  below  with  the  rest,  and  Hicks  went  back 
on  the  poop. 

"  Bring  her  mother  and  sister  aboard,"  said  he 
to  Cortelli.  "  I'll  give  you  full  price  for  both." 

The  little  fat  scoundrel  glanced  at  him  quickly 
to  see  if  he  were  in  earnest.  Hicks  looked  him 
squarely  in  the  eyes  and  repeated  his  request.  Then 
the  Guinea  went  to  the  rail  and  said  something  to 
the  black  bullies  in  the  small  boat  that  made  them 
grin,  and  the  next  boat  brought  off  the  desired  pair. 
Hicks  had  a  separate  place  made  for  the  three  near 
the  open  hatchway,  and  afterward  paid  for  them 
from  his  own  pocket.  Then  he  went  aft,  followed 
by  the  smiles  and  winks  of  half  the  starboard  watch, 
and  even  Hawkson,  who  came  to  the  edge  of  the 
poop,  could  scarce  suppress  amusement.  An  exhi 
bition  of  human  feeling  appeared  very  strange  to 
the  men  of  The  Gentle  Hand. 

All  that  day  we  made  landings  in  the  heavy  surf, 
taking  a  few  shackled  blacks  aboard  at  a  time,  being 
aided  a  little  by  the  filthy  and  indolent  denizens 
of  the  ruinous  village,  who  came  to  the  shore  and 
squatted  around  under  the  trees  to  give  comment 

268 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


upon  the  affair.  They  were  good  surfmen,  and 
sometimes  helped  to  run  out  the  boats  when  prom 
ised  a  drink  of  rum.  They  were  all  half-breed 
Guineas  and  scum  from  the  slaving-ships,  but  some 
had  skins  as  black  as  the  negro  slaves  they  were 
watching.  Cortelli  appeared  to  be  the  chief  among 
them,  and  it  was  said  he  sometimes  seized  upon 
some  of  the  blackest  and  sold  them.  They  gave 
him  a  wide  berth  as  he  strode  among  them,  and 
jumped  at  each  word  he  uttered,  no  despot  creat 
ing  greater  awe  among  his  subjects  than  this  filthy 
little  fat  rascal,  whose  black  eyes  had  pointed  the 
way  to  death  or  worse  to  so  many  unfortunates  of 
that  inhospitable  region. 

It  was  dark  before  the  last  boat-load  had  been 
stowed  below  hatches,  for  several  boats  had  cap 
sized  in  the  surf,  and  the  delay  of  rescuing  the 
shackled  prisoners  from  drowning  had  taken  much 
time.  Only  three  were  lost,  the  pirate  guard,  which 
had  contracted  to  do  most  of  the  rowing,  proving 
the  best  kind  of  boatmen,  and  the  way  they  swam 
about  in  the  breakers  was  a  thing  to  wonder  at. 
Sharks  were  swarming  about  the  barque,  and  must 
have  been  also  in  the  surf,  but  the  black  men  gave 
them  little  thought. 

The  final  payment  was  made  in  good  yellow  gold 
to  Cortelli,  and  he  passed  over  the  side  into  his  own 
boat,  followed  by  the  farewells  of  the  trader,  who 

269 


appeared  to  feel  that  he  had  not  been  badly  cheated 
in  his  purchase.  The  black  bullies  rowed  the  Ital 
ian  rapidly  shoreward,  while  that  worthy  squatted 
over  his  bag  of  money,  which  he  made  fast  to  a  buoy, 
in  case  of  accident,  and,  drawing  a  long  pistol, 
cocked  back  the  flint.  It  was  evident  that  he  would 
take  no  chances  in  that  country,  where  a  piece  of 
yellow  metal  may  be  worth  several  human  lives. 
The  last  I  saw  of  him,  he  was  explaining  to  his 
steersman  that  an  accident  meant  certain  death  to 
him,  the  steersman,  at  least,  and  therefore  the  utmost 
caution  should  be  exercised  in  going  through  the 
surf.  The  money  could  not  sink,  but  he  never  had 
had  accidents,  and  was  not  going  to  begin  at  this 
time. 

Then  the  order  came  from  our  quarter-deck  to 
heave  short,  and  we  were  ready  to  make  the  des 
perate  run  for  the  other  side.  Hawkson  had  kept 
a  boat  going  all  day  between  the  ship  and  shore, 
taking  in  fresh  water,  and  our  stores  were  in  good 
condition.  We  had  taken  in  enough  for  an  army 
at  Funchal. 

"  Lay  forrads,  all  ye  starbowlins,"  bawled  Henry, 
"  an'  wake  her  up/'  Then  the  feeling  that  we  were 
indeed  homeward  bound  over  the  middle  passage 
took  a  strong  hold  of  us,  and  we  hove  heavy  on 
the  windlass  brakes. 


270 


BLACK,  BARQUE 


"  '  Ole  Stormy,  'e  was  a  good  ole  man/  "  piped 
a  sailor. 

"  '  Yo,  ho!  Oh,  we  storm  along,'  "  bellowed  the 
watch  in  chorus,  and,  with  the  wild,  crazy  song, 
we  walked  the  anchor  in,  while  the  rest  sheeted  home 
the  topsails  and  romped  up  with  the  t'gallant-hal- 
yards. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  land-breeze  bore  us  off,  and 
we  braced  in  the  yards  for  a  run  off  the  land  to 
the  southward.  We  would  try  to  go  clear  of  every 
thing,  and  then  haul  up  and  go  across  with  every 
rag  we  could  crack  on  her. 

Bill,  Ernest,  and  myself  raced  up  the  main-rat 
lines  to  loose  the  royal  and  the  topmast  stun'sails. 
In  the  dim  light  of  the  early  evening,  I  saw  the 
low  shore  of  the  African  continent  for  the  last  time. 
When  I  finished  with  the  gaskets,  I  waited  a  few 
moments,  watching  it  fade  into  the  gloom  of  the 
tropic  night,  and  thinking  of  the  hell  of  sorrow 
and  suffering  the  poor  creatures  bore  who  were 
cursed  by  birth  upon  its  hot  lowlands  and  stinking 
marshes.  Even  while  I  looked,  the  plaintive  mur 
mur  from  the  wretches  below  hatches  told  plainly 
they  knew  their  voyage  to  death  and  slavery  had 
begun,  and  I  thought  I  could  make  out  the  wild 
and  sad  refrain  of  some  savage  song.  Over  three 
hundred  black  creatures  packed  below!  I  thanked 
Heaven  there  had  been  no  more  to  take,  for  I  knew 

271 


BLACK.  BARUE 


they  would  have  packed  another  three  hundred  into 
her  if  they  had  been  ready  for  sale.  They  would 
make  the  run  with  these  without  further  risk,  and 
trust  to  landing  them  in  better  condition,  thus  se 
curing  a  much  higher  price. 

I  started  down  the  ratlines,  but,  before  going 
over  the  futtock-shrouds,  I  looked  at  the  last  bit 
of  light  on  the  western  sky-line. 

It  seemed  to  me  I  saw  a  bit  of  a  speck  showing 
on  the  darkening  horizon.  Bill  was  opposite  me, 
and  I  called  to  him  to  look.  He  gazed  steady  for 
a  few  seconds. 

"  Youst  like  a  brig's  royals,  them  little  dots," 
said  he,  and  went  on  down  the  ratlines  to  the  deck. 

I  followed,  and  forgot  to  report  the  object  in 
the  hurry  and  hustle  to  get  the  anchor  in  on  deck 
and  everything  shipshape  for  sea. 


272 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

OPEN    MUTINY 

MY!  How  those  blacks  did  smell!  We  had 
worked  well  into  the  night,  only  stopping  to<  eat 
supper,  and,  when  we  did  go  below  to  turn  in,  all 
tired  out,  the  odour  was  something  to  remember. 
The  wind  being  aft,  the  cabin  was  clear,  but  the 
forecastle  was  pretty  bad,  and  we  had  only  just 
started. 

"  It  makes  a  fellow  feel  like  goin'  out  an'  getting 
rid  o'  some  o'  his  crimes,"  said  Big  Jones,  sniffing 
and  spitting  upon  the  deck. 

"  Hif  dirt's  a  crime,  you'd  been  hung  long  ago," 
observed  Jim.  "  Better  turn  in  with  hit." 

"  Too  hot,"  said  Bill.  "  It's  youst  a  little  too 
hot  fer  me.  I've  sweated  all  the  water  out  of  me 
working,  an'  I  don't  want  to  sweat  sleepin'.  I'll 
take  the  deck  an'  let  her  go." 

"  A  man's  'bout  one-third  water,  anyways,  accord 
ing  to  some  o'  them  doctors'  sayings,"  drawled 
Shannon,  who  lounged  in  his  bunk. 

"  What's  the  rest,  —  likker?  "  asked  Jim,  wofully. 

273 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


And  then  the  men  split  up,  each  seeking  a  spot 
for  resting  during  his  watch  below,  some  on  deck 
and  some  in  the  forecastle. 

I  followed  Bill  to  the  windlass,  and  we  stretched 
out  in  my  old  favourite  spot,  with  our  heads  upon 
a  coil  of  the  forestaysail-downhaul.  Here  we  had 
the  draught  from  under  the  foot  of  the  sail  blow 
ing  downward  in  our  faces,  and  we  instantly  gave 
way  to  its  soothing  influence  and  fell  asleep.  Since 
Watkins  had  gone  over  the  side,  with  a  shot  to 
each  foot,  sewed  tightly  in  canvas,  I  had  been  a  bit 
more  free  to  sleep  out  on  deck  at  night  in  the  warm 
weather,  and  I  now  rested  as  only  a  tired  and  healthy 
sailor  could.  The  barque  held  along  steadily  and 
the  motion  was  slight,  and  there  was  silence  on  board 
save  for  the  murmur  coming  from  below.  The  first 
thing  I  knew  of  trouble  was  being  suddenly  aroused 
by  a  piercing  scream.  It  was  shrill  and  sharp  and 
full  of  terror  and  pain. 

Bill  started  up  at  the  same  time,  and  both  of 
us  asked  each  other  what  was  the  matter.  I  tried 
to  put  out  my  hand  to  steady  myself  from  the  roll 
of  the  barque  and  get  to  my  feet,  but  something 
held  it  firmly  to  the  other  in  front  of  me.  The 
night  was  intensely  black,  as  the  moon  had  not  yet 
risen,  and  for  an  instant  I  was  blundering  about, 
striving  to  free  myself,  until  Bill  blurted  out  that 
he  was  ironed.  Then  I  realized  that  my  hands  were 


&MTHE  BLACK,  BARQUE 

shackled  fast  in  iron  bracelets,  and  that  there  was 
little  use  to  try  to  free  them.  Some  one  had  slipped 
them  upon  our  wrists  while  we  slept,  and  we  were 
as  helpless  as  though  paralyzed. 

I  tried  to  see  the  watch  on  deck,  and  strained 
my  eyes  through  the  gloom  to  catch  sight  of  their 
forms  in  the  waist,  where  they  usually  grouped  to 
keep  awake  and  tell  yarns.  There  was  not  a  soul 
in  sight.  Even  the  poop  seemed  vacant,  but,  while 
I  looked,  shadows  appeared  creeping  up  the  gang 
ways  over  the  break,  and  in  a  moment  a  flash  lit  the 
darkness.  Following  the  report,  a  perfect  roar  of 
voices  burst  forth,  yelling  and  bawling,  interspersed 
now  and  again  with  shouts  and  cries  of  wounded 
men.  Then  Martin's  hoarse  yell  arose  above  the 
uproar  aft,  and  I  began  to  realize  what  was  hap 
pening. 

"  Break  loose,  Bill,  for  God's  sake/'  I  cried,  tug 
ging  away  at  my  irons.  "  Break  loose,  for  that 
devil,  Martin,  is  going  amuck,  and  Shannon  is  in 
his  wake."  Our  legs  were  free,  and  I  ran  to  the 
windlass-bitts,  which  were  covered  with  metal. 
Raising  my  hands  high  above  my  head,  I  brought 
the  bracelets  down  with  all  my  force  upon  the  iron 
tops. 

The  pain  was  awful.  For  some  moments  I  could 
do  nothing  but  gasp,  for  it  seemed  to  me  that  I 


275 


BARQUE 


had  broken  both  my  wrists.  They  were  numb  and 
paralyzed  with  the  shock. 

"  Let  me  try,"  said  Bill,  and  he  brought  his  hands 
down  with  full  force.  The  lock  on  his  iron  sprang 
open,  and  he  gave  a  groan. 

"  Lay  your  wrists  here,"  he  said,  and  I  stretched 
the  connecting  link  over  the  bitt-head.  Bill  seized 
a  heavy  chain-hook  and  smote  again  and  again 
upon  the  chain  link  until  it  bent,  buckled,  and  finally 
opened.  I  was  free. 

With  my  irons  hanging  to  my  wrists,  we  started 
aft,  where  the  fracas  was  now  in  full  sway.  Forms 
were  surging  upon  the  break  of  the  poop,  and  among 
them  I  recognized  some  of  our  men  mixed  with 
the  naked  black  bodies  of  the  Africans.  We  dived 
into  the  forward  cabin  door  to  get  at  the  cutlass 
rack  in  the  passage,  where  all  the  arms  were  hung. 
As  we  did  so,  Mr.  Curtis  thrust  a  pistol  into  my 
face  and  pulled  the  trigger.  The  damp,  hot  climate 
had  evidently  affected  the  priming  of  the  weapon, 
for  I  heard  the  flint  fall  distinctly.  Then  I  struck 
up  the  muzzle  as  it  exploded,  the  charge  going  up 
ward  into  the  deck. 

"  Don't  shoot  !  "  I  bawled,  as  the  report  rang  out. 
"  Don't  shoot  !  can't  you  see  us  ?  Give  us  the  cut 
lasses,  quick." 

Bill  reached  for  the  rack  where  they  hung,  and 
was  about  to  take  one,  when  a  form  swung  out  of 

276 


the  darkness,  heaving  some  heavy  weapon  overhead. 
There  was  no  time  to  explain  matters,  so  I  sprang 
upon  the  fellow  and  grasped  him  firmly  before  the 
blow  fell  upon  Bill's  head,  and  together  we  went 
to  the  deck. 

Instantly  I  recognized  Jorg,  the  carpenter,  as  his 
axe  fell  clattering  across  the  cabin,  and  the  rascal 
gripped  my  throat  with  both  hands.  Before  I  could 
disengage  his  hands,  two  more  bodies  fell  over  me, 
scrambling,  cursing,  and  struggling.  A  foot  —  I 
think  it  was  Bill's  —  gave  Jorg  a  kick  under  the 
ear,  and  he  slackened  his  hold  on  my  throat. 

"What  the  mischief  are  you  doing?"  I  gasped. 
"  Can't  you  see  we  ain't  niggers  ?  What's  the  mat 
ter  with  you?  " 

Just  then  a  lantern  flashed,  as  the  cabin  door  was 
thrown  open,  and  Mr.  Gull  stood  before  us,  pike  in 
hand,  ready  for  business.  He  seemed  to  hesitate 
a  moment,  and  looked  inquiringly  at  me  and  then 
at  Bill,  who  had  Curtis  under  him  on  the  cabin 
deck,  calling  upon  him  to  let  him  get  away,  and  try 
ing  to  disengage  the  Englishman's  hands,  that  had 
fastened  themselves  firmly  around  his  neck.  The 
noise  overhead  continued,  and  the  rapid  trampling 
of  men  and  shuffling  of  feet  told  of  a  fierce  encoun 
ter.  Hawkson's  hoarse  cry  could  be  distinguished 
cheering  the  men  on  about  him,  and  Martin's  wild 
yells  and  curses  upon  the  ship,  the  crew,  and  every- 

277 


thing  about  her.  It  was  evident  something  worse 
than  a  rising  of  the  blacks  was  taking  place,  and 
I  hurriedly  asked  the  second  mate  what  had  hap 
pened.  He  saw  the  manacles  upon  my  wrists,  where 
they  still  hung,  and  this  showed  him  I  had  been 
a  captive  very  recently.  Then  we  knew  the  after 
guard  had  taken  no  prisoners  and  would  never  give 
quarter. 

"  Put  on  in  my  sleep,"  I  said,  quickly.  "  Bill 
and  I  both  were  ironed.  Give  us  the  weapons  and 
let  us  help." 

"  I  believe  you,  Heywood.  Take  a  cutlass  and 
come  along.  The  devil  is  loose  to-night  aboard 
here,"  he  said,  and  he  grabbed  Curtis's  hands  at 
the  same  instant. 

"  Let  him  go,"  he  said  to  Curtis.  "  Let  him  go 
and  get  up.  They're  all  right." 

It  was  several  moments  before  the  Englishman 
realized  what  was  wanted,  and  kept  calling  for  Gull 
to  run  Bill  through  with  his  pike. 

I  grabbed  a  cutlass  from  the  arm-rack  just  as 
Jorg  sat  up,  dazed  and  dizzy.  He  evidently  ex 
pected  me  to  cut  him  down,  and  was  much  aston 
ished  when  I  helped  raise  him  and  handed  him  his 
axe. 

"  You're  youst  a  little  bit  too  much  in  a  hurry," 
said  Bill  to  Curtis,  as  they  got  up,  the  sailor  red 
and  angry  at  the  choking  he  had  received.  But 

278 


BL.  BARE 


Gull  pressed  a  cutlass  into  his  hand,  and  called  for 
us  to  follow,  opening  the  door  into  the  after-cabin. 
There  was  no  time  to  lose.  The  incident  had  already 
cost  us  several  minutes,  and  we  might  be  too  late. 
"  It's  Martin  and  the  fellow  Shannon,"  said  Gull, 
as  we  piled  through.  "  They've  got  half  the  port 
watch  an'  a  dozen  niggers  with  them.  They're  the 
righting  devils  of  Cortelli's  guard  shipped  in,  all 
ready  to  take  a  hand.  Shannon  and  the  Guinea 
stood  in  together  to  do  the  job.  Come  along,  for 
God's  sake,  come  along!" 


279 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

THE   FIGHT   ON   DECK 

GULL  led  the  way  through  the  cabin,  and,  as  we 
neared  the  companion  way,  a  stateroom  door  was 
thrust  open,  and  Miss  Allen  stood  before  us.  She 
held  a  pistol  in  her  hand,  and  her  eyes  were  bright 
and  sparkling.  She  seemed  most  beautiful  to  me, 
as  she  stood  there  confronting  five  armed  men. 

"Oh!"  she  exclaimed,  "I'm  glad  it's  you.  I 
thought  —  "  But  she  left  her  sentence  unfinished. 
We  knew  what  she  meant,  and  the  pistol  was  not 
a  weapon  for  offence.  It  was  her  last  defence,  and 
the  thought  of  the  girl  waiting  with  it  in  her  hand 
gave  me  a  turn.  We  hurried  up  the  ladder  while 
she  called  after  us,  asking  if  her  father  was  all  right. 

The  blackness  on  the  poop  was  lit  up  by  Gull's 
lantern,  and  we  saw  a  sight  that  made  us  grip  our 
weapons.  A  confused  mass  of  men  were  closed 
in  desperate  combat,  cutting,  thrusting,  hacking,  and 
clutching  at  each  other  in  the  darkness.  Guided 
by  Hawkson's  voice,  we  soon  made  out  the  mate, 
surrounded  by  a  crowd  of  the  black  devils  from 

280 


the  beach  and  several  of  our  own  men.  By  his  side 
was  Hicks  and  the  sailor,  Ernest,  all  hewing  away 
at  the  press  about  them.  Several  bodies  lay  beneath 
Hawkson's  feet,  telling  of  the  old  fighter's  desperate 
sword-play. 

A  little  farther  on,  with  his  back  against  the 
mizzen,  stood  Howard,  his  bare  poll  shining  in  the 
light  of  Gull's  lantern,  showing  the  perspiration 
pouring  down  over  his  face,  his  eyes  steady  and 
shining  like  glass  beads,  his  cutlass  dripping  in  his 
right  hand,  and  an  empty  pistol  in  his  left.  He 
was  hard  at  it  with  Martin  and  Shannon,  both  of 
whom  pressed  him  sorely,  in  spite  of  Yankee  Dan's 
help. 

Henry  was  engaging  Anderson  and  Gus  at  his 
side,  and  the  forms  of  two  men  lying  between  the 
old  captain  and  Martin  told  of  the  Scot's  and  Shan 
non's  deadly  work.  Shannon  had  cut  down  one 
and  Martin  had  put  a  man  out  of  the  way  as  we 
rushed  up. 

The  fight  now  waxed  hotter.  The  barque,  being 
without  any  one  at  the  wheel,  luffed  slowly  into 
the  breeze  until  her  foreyards  were  aback  and  she 
gathered  sternway.  The  cracking  of  the  slatting 
canvas  added  to  the  noise  of  the  yelling  men,  and 
for  a  time  there  was  chaos  on  the  poop. 

Instinctively  Gull  and  myself  rushed  to  Howard's 
side.  The  old  fellow  was  wary  and  quick,  warding 

281 


BLACK^  BARE 


off  the  furious  onslaughts  of  the  long  skipper  with 
a  skill  and  strength  that  was  amazing.  He  had  his 
old  cutlass  ahead  of  him,  sword  fashion,  and  he 
hopped  about  that  deck  like  some  horrible  old 
monkey,  laughing  now  and  again  in  his  high,  cack 
ling  voice,  as  he  lunged  and  stabbed  with  a  cat 
like  quickness.  Even  the  long  skipper's  giant 
strength  was  powerless  to  force  his  guard  for  a 
few  moments,  but,  as  we  fell  upon  the  long  rascal, 
we  were  met  by  Martin,  who  came  in  furiously, 
yelling  like  a  demon. 

"  Hoot,  ye  dogs!  Stand  out  an*  die!  Stand  out 
an*  die  like  true  Christian  men  !  "  he  bawled,  and 
as  he  did  so  he  struck  fiercely  with  a  cutlass. 

Jennings,  Pat,  and  Holmberg  had  gone  against 
us,  and  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  them  in  the  crush 
about  Hawkson,  as  I  circled  about  Shannon,  trying 
to  get  within  his  guard,  while  he  made  long,  full- 
arm  sweeps  as  he  advanced  that  kept  us  busy  getting 
out  of  his  way.  Only  Howard  seemed  to  be  able 
to  stand  and  yet  clear  them. 

Curtis,  Jorg,  and  Bill  had  fallen  upon  the  crowd 
pressing  about  the  mate,  and  now  some  of  the  black 
pirates  left  the  press  there  and  came  to  Shannon's 
aid.  One  of  these  sprang  within  the  guard  of  the 
trader  and  smote  him  heavily.  Then  he  dodged 
back  again  as  Gull  pressed  him,  cutting  him  again 
and  again  with  lightning-like  strokes,  his  cutlass- 

282 


BLACK,  BARQUE 


blade  glinting  like  a  flash  of  flame  in  the  light  of 
the  lantern  set  upon  the  companion  slide. 

Shannon  came  steadily  on.  Yankee  Dan  reeled 
and  struck  out  wildly.  A  pistol  flashed  somewhere 
in  the  night,  and  he  pitched  forward  under  the  long 
man's  feet. 

Everything  now  was  mixed.  A  grinning  black 
face  showed  before  me,  and  I  cut  at  it  with  all  my 
power.  A  hoarse  scream  from  the  Doctor  told  me 
that  the  blow  had  hit  hard,  although  there  seemed 
little  resistance  to  the  blade.  The  rascally  cook  had 
evidently  joined  the  mutiny,  and  had  gotten  his 
deserts.  At  the  same  time  I  did  not  stop  to  argue 
the  question  of  right  or  wrong.  I  had  been  gulled 
into  joining  the  ship,  and  had  no  reason  to  love  her 
or  her  officers,  yet,  when  it  came  to  standing  by 
her,  there  was  no  thought  of  shirking. 

Had  Martin  been  a  different  kind  of  a  rascal,  he 
might  have  approached  me,  but  he  had  judged 
rightly  that  I  had  no  use  for  him  as  a  leader,  and 
he  had  ironed  me  for  future  consideration,  not  wish 
ing  to  part  with  any  more  men  than  necessary  on  the 
short-handed  ship.  He  might  have  knifed  me  and 
tossed  me  over  the  side  just  as  easily. 

The  death  of  Yankee  Dan  appeared  to  madden 
Martin.  He  roared  and  cursed  and  swung  a  vicious 
stroke  at  Gull.  Then  seeing  me,  his  rage  broke 
forth  in  a  torrent  of  oaths.  He  made  a  cut  at  me 

283 


ARUE 


and  missed.  I  stabbed  him  savagely  in  the  ribs, 
my  point  hitting  him  hard,  for  I  had  to  jerk  it  clear. 
He  roared  and  rushed  in  upon  me,  followed  by 
Shannon,  and  I  was  beaten  backward  to  the  poop- 
rail.  In  vain  did  Howard  and  Gull  cut  and  lunge 
at  the  long  villain.  Shannon  beat  their  weapons 
down,  and  came  upon  me,  with  the  wounded  Scot 
at  his  side,  now  silent  with  pain  and  with  the  weak 
ness  of  his  hurt.  I  fought  with  despairing  energy, 
but  received  a  blow  on  my  shoulder  that  almost 
made  me  drop  my  cutlass.  The  long  villain  took 
a  stride  nearer  to  me,  and  Martin  stabbed  me  in 
the  leg,  as  I  frantically  drove  his  point  downward 
from  my  breast.  I  was  hard  pressed,  and  for  an 
instant  it  seemed  that  I  could  not  escape.  The  rail 
struck  me  in  the  small  of  the  back,  and  I  brought 
up  against  it.  I  had  reached  the  limit.  Then  Bill 
did  a  thing  that  makes  me  believe  in  the  honesty 
and  nobility  of  men.  It  was  not  what  might  have 
been  expected  from  a  member  of  that  crew,  but 
it  was  more  than  even  the  duty  of  a  friend,  and 
we  had  once  fought  against  each  other. 

Gull  smote  Jennings  so  sorely  that  he  fell  back 
and  opened  the  way  to  Martin.  Like  a  flash  the 
second  mate  sprang  in  just  as  the  wounded,  but  still 
wary,  Scot  stabbed  me,  and  he  struck  him  so  sav 
agely  that  he  went  staggering  to  one  side.  Pat  and 
a  black  fellow  pressed  Howard,  and  Shannon 

284 


BLACK-  BARQUE 


whirled  up  his  blade  to  make  a  finish  of  me  when 
Bill  sprang  between  and  closed. 

Howard  thrust  the  Irishman  through  the  body, 
and,  as  his  cackling  laugh  broke  out,  the  fellow  fell 
heavily,  striking  Shannon's  legs  behind  at  the  knee 
joints.  The  impact  of  Bill  in  front  brought  all  three 
to  the  deck,  where  they  rolled  into  a  struggling, 
kicking  mass  in  the  darkness. 

As  quickly  as  possible,  Gull  and  myself  sprang 
in  to  finish  the  long  skipper  before  Bill  was  done 
for,  but-  it  was  too  late.  The  tall  scoundrel  arose 
almost  instantly  to  his  feet  and  sprang  clear  of  our 
thrusts,  leaving  Bill  lying  stark  dead  upon  the  deck. 
He  had  died  to  save  me,  poor  sailorman  though  he 
was,  and,  as  I  stepped  over  his  bleeding  body,  I 
could  hardly  repress  a  sob  that  rose  in  my  throat. 
John,  Gilbert,  Anderson,  and  Heligoland,  with  six 
of  Cortelli's  black  scoundrels,  had  by  this  time 
pressed  Hawkson,  Ernest,  and  Hicks  so>  hard  that 
even  the  aid  of  Curtis  and  Jorg  availed  them  but 
little.  In  the  general  mix-up,  the  carpenter  had 
received  a  blow  over  the  head  with  a  dull  cutlass, 
which  had  rendered  him  insane  for  a  time.  I  saw 
him  rushing  forward,  screaming,  but  gave  him  no 
other  thought,  while  I  went  for  Shannon,  deter 
mined  to  avenge  £>oor  Bill. 

Nearly  every  one  had  received  several  wounds 
by  this  time,  as  the  fighting  had  been  close  and 

285 


furious,  but  Shannon  appeared  to  brighten  up  and 
go  in  for  a  finish.  He  had  fought  silently  up  to 
the  present  moment,  but  now  he  began  to  drawl 
out  his  oaths  viciously  at  each  stroke  of  -his  cut 
lass. 

"  I'll  have  ye  in  a  minute,  ye  long  caterman," 
cried  Howard,  pressing  upon  him. 

"  I  wanter  know,  I  wanter  know,  you  bald-headed 
thief!"  he  roared  in  reply,  and  he  mixed  things 
up  so  fast  that  his  blade  shone  like  a  thousand  gems 
in  the  dim  light  of  the  lantern.  Anderson  came 
to  Martin's  aid  and  supported  him,  while  the  badly 
wounded,  thought  still  undaunted,  Scot  bawled  fee 
bly  for  his  enemies  to  come  on.  He  seized  the  rail 
with  his  left  hand,  and  still  showed  the  point  of 
his  cutlass  ready  for  business. 

During  this  last  rally,  I  had  noticed  the  uproar 
below  sounding  like  the  surf  on  the  shore.  I  thought 
it  was  caused  by  the  slaves  in  their  fear,  hearing 
the  sounds  of  the  desperate  fight  on  the  deck  above. 

Suddenly  the  uproar  swelled  louder,  and  distinct 
cries  came  from  the  main-deck.  Forms  flitted  here 
and  there  and  came  bounding  upon  the  poop. 

I  saw  Hawkson  make  a  desperate  rally  and  cut 
down  John  and  a  black  giant,  and,  as  they  fell, 
Henry  rushed  in  and  finished  them.  Curtis  fell, 
badly  wounded,  but  Hicks  and  Ernest  drove  the 
crowd  back.  Again  and  again  did  Gull,  Howard, 

286 


and  myself  press  Shannon,  but  the  long  fellow,  while 
not  able  to  make  any  way  against  us,  placed  his 
back  to  the  poop-rail,  and  kept  us  a  sword-length 
away  with  ease. 

Martin,  Shannon,  Anderson,  and  their  followers 
now  crowded  aft  along  the  rail,  and  we  were  unable 
to  stop  them.  Hawkson  swung  clear  of  the  press 
about  him,  and  Hicks  followed. 

At  that  instant  a  surging  crowd  of  black  forms 
came  pouring  up  the  poop-ladders.  They  were  naked 
and  unarmed,  save  for  whatever  bars  and  belaying- 
pins  they  had  found  in  the  darkness. 

"Good  God,  the  cargo's  loose!"  cried  Henry. 
"  Get  aft,  it's  the  only  chance." 


287 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

THE   CARGO   BREAKS   LOOSE 

THE  pouring  torrent  of  black  men  flowed  and 
swept  between  the  mutineers  and  ourselves,  and 
we  were  borne  along  before  them  like  a  chip  on  the 
crest  of  a  wave.  Their  wild  cries  sounded  above 
the  curses  and  yells  of  the  fighting  men,  blending 
into  a  wild,  hoarse  roar  from  three  hundred  deep 
chests.  By  sticking  close  together,  we  managed  to 
make  a  retreat  to  the  after-companionway,  but  it 
was  desperate  work. 

The  Africans  hurled  their  naked  bodies  upon  our 
weapons,  regardless  of  cuts  and  thrusts  that  went 
home  every  time,  and  they  struck  at  us  savagely 
with  the  bars  and  staves  they  had  collected. 

Mr.  Gull  received  a  blow  that  stretched  him  sense 
less,  and  it  was  only  after  a  desperate  stand  that 
we  managed  to  haul  him  out  from  under  the  strug 
gling  men  who  pitched  upon  him.  Curtis,  being 
badly  wounded,  could  not  keep  with  us,  and  he  was 
pulled  back  into  the  crowd  and  never  seen  again. 
Ernest,  who  bore  himself  so  bravely,  fell  at  the 

288 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


companion,  and  it  was  Hawkson  who  tore  his  way 
into  a  mass  of  mad  blacks  and  hauled  him  over 
the  ladder. 

There  were  only  a  few  of  us  left.  Hawkson, 
Hicks,  Henry,  Howard,  and  myself  could  do  duty, 
but  we  were  all  badly  wounded. 

The  light  from  the  cabin  below  shone  in  our 
faces,  and  we  set  our  backs  to  the  opening.  I  saw 
Howard's  eyes  shining  from  his  mask-like  face  like 
two  bright,  black  beads.  Blood  poured  down  Hawk- 
son's  cheeks  from  a  cut  on  the  forehead,  and  made 
him  a  grisly  sight.  Hicks  was  white  as  a  sheet, 
but  cool  and  steady.  He  had  received  a  thrust  in 
the  breast  that  made  him  wheeze  at  each  breath. 

We  made  one  desperate  rally  at  the  companion, 
and  I  looked  below  over  my  shoulder.  As  I  did 
so,  I  saw  a  form  staggering  in  from  forward,  and 
heard  the  clank  of  the  heavy  door  in  the  bulkhead. 
I  looked  again,  and  saw  Big  Jones  coming,  with  a 
pair  of  broken  irons  on  each  wrist,  and  a  pistol  in 
his  left  hand,  while  in  his  right  he  carried  a  shining 
cutlass. 

"  Stand  clear,  I'm  a-comm',"  he  said,  and  we 
made  way  for  him  as  he  mounted  the  steps. 

The  light  on  the  top  of  the  companion,  where 
Gull  had  placed  it,  still  burned.  The  slaves  swarmed 
everywhere,  except  on  the  glass  skylight. 

By  the  dim  flare,  I  could  see  what  was  taking 
289 


BLACIL  BARQUE 


place.  Shannon  had  been  carried  along  the  port 
rail  to  the  after  end  of  the  poop,  and  Martin  had 
thrust  with  all  his  remaining  strength,  hobbling 
along,  aided  by  Anderson.  Over  the  heads  of  the 
black  crowd,  I  could  make  out  Shannon's  tall  form, 
as  he  cut  and  slashed  right  and  left,  making  a  lane 
through  the  men,  and  leaving  a  pile  of  bodies  to 
mark  his  course  and  ease  the  pressure  upon  him. 

"  Cootn  on,  ye  black  divils!"  cried  Martin, 
faintly.  "  Coom  on,  an'  take  the  sailo<rmen." 

A  huge  black  towered  above  him,  wielding  a 
hand-spike,  and  several  more  pressed  Anderson  back. 

The  Scotchman  rose  to  his  full  height,  and,  seiz 
ing  his  cutlass  in  both  hands,  smote  the  African 
a  blow  that  sank  the  blade  down  to  his  nose.  Be 
fore  he  could  wrench  it  clear,  the  fellow  went  head 
long  to  the  deck,  carrying  the  blade  with  him,  snap 
ping  it  free  from  the  hilt,  and  leaving  Martin  help 
less.  The  mob  surged  upon  him  and  he  disappeared. 
We  saw  him  no  more. 

Anderson  had  a  similar  fate.  A  dozen  giants  in 
ebony  grasped  his  cutlass  in  their  hands,  regardless 
of  the  blade.  It  was  wrenched  from  him,  and  he 
went  down,  followed  by  a  dago  named  Guinea  and 
a  couple  of  the  blacks  from  the  slave-pen.  Gus, 
Gilbert,  and  the  rest  of  the  mutineers  had  disap 
peared  already,  leaving  only  one  black  and  Shannon 
of  the  entire  crowd. 

290 


The  African,  fighting  against  his  fellows,  lasted 
but  a  few  moments.  He  was  crowded  to  the  rail. 
Throwing  his  cutlass  into  the  mob,  he  sprang  clear 
of  the  side  and  was  gone  in  the  darkness,  and  Shan 
non  was  left  alone  at  the  taffrail,  where  he  made  his 
last  stand. 

A  great  black  fellow  made  his  way  aft,  calling 
out  in  a  clear,  deep  bass  voice.  He  was  apparently 
entirely  naked,  and  his  skin  shone  and  glistened  in 
the  lantern's  light.  He  carried  a  cutlass  in  his  hand, 
and  thrust  his  followers  aside,  as  he  made  his  way 
to  the  long  skipper,  who  fought  gamely  on. 

"  Ho  !  Benga  Sam,  I  wanter  know,"  cried  the 
sailor.  And  the  black  giant  called  out  something 
in  his  clear  tones. 

It  was  evident  that  there  was  a  score  to  settle, 
for  the  black  man  hurled  his  kind  right  and  left 
to  get  in.  Some  of  the  nearest  drew  back  at  the 
sound  of  his  deep  voice,  and  pressed  back  the  heavy 
weight  of  the  mob  behind,  clearing  a  small  space 
in  front  of  Shannon.  Into  this  the  black  giant 
forced  his  way. 

All  this  happened  in  an  incredibly  short  time, 
but  the  solid  bank  of  human  flesh  before  us  was 
pressing  closer,  in  spite  of  Hawkson's  desperate 
efforts. 

Big  Jones  reached  us,  and,  placing  his  pistol  at 
the  breast  of  the  nearest  African,  fired.  Then  he 

291 


BL  BA 


whirled  his  blade  into  the  thick  of  them,  and  all 
together  we  forced  a  space  clear  about  the  com 
panion.  Howard  was  nearly  spent.  I  was  des 
perately  wounded,  and  leaned  against  the  compan 
ion,  panting  for  breath,  while  Hicks  grasped  the 
coaming  to  keep  from  falling. 

In  the  breathing  spell,  while  Jones  held  the  way, 
I  saw  what  was  taking  place  a  few  feet  distant. 

In  the  open  space  cleared  around  the  long  skip 
per,  the  big  black  fellow  stood  and  called  upon  the 
white  man  to  pay  the  penalty  of  some  past  crime. 
Shannon  had  been  on  the  coast  before,  and  he  cer 
tainly  recognized  the  black.  He  had  doubtless  done 
him  some  wrong.  He  met  him  with  a  spirit  worthy 
of  a  white  man,  and,  in  spite  of  his  sins,  he  made 
a  gallant  stand  to  the  end. 

The  black  set  upon  him  with  terrific  force,  his 
blade  rising  and  falling  so  fast  that  the  eye  could 
hardly  follow  it.  Shannon,  drawing  himself  to 
his  full  height,  parried  and  returned  stroke  for 
stroke,  his  amazing  vigour  unimpaired  by  the  action 
of  the  past  half-hour.  There  was  no  retreating  for 
either.  The  black  wall  of  human  bodies  held  them 
on  all  sides  to  the  taffrail,  and  the  nearest  living 
men  strained  their  utmost  to  keep  clear  of  the  whirl 
ing  blades,  while  those  behind  pressed  in  and  forced 
them  closer. 

Both  men  were  desperately  wounded  in  a  few 
292 


:gfeg:THE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

moments.  Then  Shannon,  seeming  to  feel  that  his 
life  was  ebbing,  rose  to  one  mighty  effort. 

He  slashed  with  great  vigour  for  some  moments, 
and  then,  without  warning,  sprang  furiously  for 
ward,  and,  taking  the  black's  blade  through  the  body, 
he  drove  his  own  into  his  black  chest  until  I  saw 
the  glint  of  the  metal  in  the  rear.  They  swayed 
for  a  few  seconds,  and  then  went  down,  while  the 
mob  surged  over  them  and  flowed  around  to  where 
we  were  holding  the  stairs. 

"  Get  below  and  shut  the  doors,"  said  Jones.  "  I 
ken  hold  them  fer  a  few  minutes,  that's  all." 

Hawkson  looked  at  him,  and  I  saw  a  ghost  of 
an  old  smile  flitting  over  his  hard-lined  face. 

"  You'll  do  for  a  big  one,  Jones,"  said  he,  and 
his  teeth  gleamed  in  the  night. 

"  You  stand  on  either  side,"  said  Howard.  "  I'll 
take  the  front." 

Hawkson  was  about  to  remonstrate,  but  the  old 
pirate  shut  him  off  harshly. 

"  Who's  the  captain  here,  me  or  you  ?  "  he  cried. 

'  You,  but  you  won't  be  within  five  minutes," 
said  Hawkson. 

"  Get  below,  Hicks  and  Heywood ;  maybe  you 
can  bring  Gull  and  Ernest  back  for  short  stand. 
There's  liquor  in  the  pantry." 

We  were  too  badly  hurt  to  stand  much  longer. 


293 


and  were  worthless  in  a  rush,  so  we  went  down 
the  companion  and  tried  to  tie  up  our  hurts. 

Miss  Allen  had  already  brought  Gull  around,  and 
had  partly  revived  Ernest.  She  smiled  faintly  at 
me,  as  I  came  down  the  companionway,  limping  and 
clutching  the  rail  at  the  side.  Hicks  was  behind 
me,  and  looked  sadly  at  the  girl  as  the  noise  of 
the  rush  sounded  behind  us. 

She  came  to  us  and  tied  us  up  the  best  she  could, 
stopping  the  bleeding,  and,  as  she  handed  me  a  glass 
of  spirits,  spoke. 

"  Hicks,"  said  I,  "  you  better  take  Miss  Allen 
below  into  the  lazarette  and  bar  the  door.  They 
may  overlook  you  there.  It  will  only  be  a  matter 
of  a  few  minutes'  more  fighting.  The  barque  is 
doomed.  Go  while  you  can,  for  there  is  no  other 
to  take  her.  Gull  and  I  must  make  our  last  stand 
on  deck." 

"  And  a  precious  short  one  at  that,"  said  the 
second  mate,  who  was  barely  able  to  keep  his  feet. 

The  liquor  was  burning  within  me  now  like  oil 
poured  upon  a  dying  flame,  and  under  its  influence 
I  grasped  my  cutlass  and  placed  my  foot  on  the  stair, 
to  mount  again  and  join  the  panting,  struggling 
men,  whose  backs  showed  against  the  opening  now 
and  then,  as  they  cut  and  lunged  at  the  press  before 
them.  They  could  not  last  long,  and  I  could  already 


294 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


hear  the  high,  rasping  breathing  of  the  old  captain, 
who  was  making  his  last  fight. 

"  You  will  come  also,"  said  Miss  Allen  to  me. 
"  You  must  know  of  some  way  to  hide  in  a  ship." 

Her  eyes  held  a  mute  appeal  that  was  hard  to 
resist.  She  was  filled  with  horror,  and  the  terror 
in  her  look  made  me  hesitate.  Yet,  when  I  thought, 
I  knew  Hicks  could  find  a  place  easier  than  I,  and 
one  would  be  less  apt  to  be  missed  than  two.  Be 
sides,  the  men  on  deck  were  fighting,  and  my  place 
was  there  as  long  as  I  could  stand.  Sir  John  Hicks 
looked  at  me,  but  said  nothing. 

"  I'll  come  later,"  I  answered.  "  Some  one  must 
hold  the  stair.  Hurry  while  there's  time." 

Then  I  mounted  the  companion,  followed  by  Gull, 
and  came  out  into  the  last  fight  on  the  quarter 
deck. 


295 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

OUR  LAST  CHANCE 

THE  big  Welshman,  Jones,  had  just  swung  into 
the  press  about  him  as  we  came  up,  and  Hawkson 
had  a  breathing  spell  for  a  few  moments.  The  old 
privateersman  saw  me  behind  him  in  the  doorway, 
and  the  ghost  of  his  old  smile  wrinkled  the  corners 
of  his  ugly  mouth.  He  was  covered  with  blood, 
and  growing  weak  from  exertion,  but  he  held  out 
a  long,  sinewy  hand,  and  I  grasped  it.  He  said 
nothing,  but  looked  at  the  surging  crowd  that  was 
pressing  closer  and  closer  against  the  struggling 
Welshman  an4  Howard.  Henry  clung  to  the  com 
panion  coaming  with  one  hand,  and  closed  the  gap 
between  them.  The  black  mass  swung  back  toward 
us,  and  instantly  we  were  fighting  desperately  to 
hold  them  in  check. 

A  pile  of  black  bodies  in  front  impeded  their 
movement,  but  they  pressed  us  so  close  that  we 
were  jammed  shoulder  to  shoulder,  with  Jones 
slightly  in  advance  to  the  right,  and  the  old  captain 

296 


B  ARUE 


in  front.  Gull  ducked  below  my  arm,  and  stabbed 
viciously  upward  at  the  Africans  who  came  on. 

There  had  been  a  short  pause,  caused  by  Jones's 
fierce  fight,  but,  as  he  gradually  slackened  his  efforts, 
and  the  men  behind  pressed  forward,  the  gap  began 
closing  up.  It  would  soon  be  over. 

A  huge  black  fellow  reached  out  and  grasped 
Captain  Howard.  The  old  pirate  ran  him  through 
the  body  with  marvellous  quickness,  but,  before  he 
could  disengage  his  weapon,  several  more  seized 
him  and  jerked  him  away  from  us.  He  disappeared 
in  the  blackness,  and  we  saw  him  no  more.  He 
had  gone  to  his  account  without  a  word,  fighting 
desperately  to  the  last,  and  with  him  went  the  last 
hope  we  had  left. 

Hawkson  was  tiring.  A  couple  of  men  seized 
me  and  started  to  drag  me  out,  but  the  old  priva- 
teersman  made  a  last  desperate  rally,  and  I  tore 
myself  free  from  dying  clutches.  But  the  fight 
could  not  last  for  ever.  A  black  giant,  who  wore 
a  gee-string,  smote  Hawkson's  blade  a  terrific  blow 
with  a  windlass-brake,  knocking  it  out  of  his  hand. 
Instantly  several  seized  him,  and,  though  I  cut  and 
stabbed  frantically,  they  managed  to  pull  him  away, 
to  be  served  as  had  been  the  others  who  had  fallen 
into  their  hands. 

Suddenly,  while  I  cut  wildly  at  the  forms  in  front, 
some  one  pulled  me  backwards.  I  expected  to  find 

297 


myself  in  the  hands  of  the  black  tigers,  thirsting  for 
blood  and  revenge,  and  was  about  to  make  one 
last  sweep,  but  my  arm  was  seized,  and  I  was  pulled 
down  the  companionway,  while  Jones  slammed  the 
doors  together  and  bolted  them.  The  big  sailor  and 
myself  were  all  the  men  left  on  deck  of  our  after 
guard,  and  he  had  pulled  me  back  just  in  time.  The 
door  would  stand  a  few  minutes  against  the  assault. 
Gull  and  Henry  had  both  gone,  the  little  ferret-faced 
fellow  fastening  his  great  fingers  firmly  in  the  throat 
of  a  man  who  drew  him  to  his  death.  There  was 
now  no  hope  but  to  delay  the  inevitable  for  as  many 
minutes  as  possible. 

Jones  and  I  had  a  short  breathing  spell,  while 
bars  and  handspikes  crashed  through  the  heavy 
door  panels.  We  took  down  several  of  the  muskets 
from  the  racks,  and,  placing  their  muzzles  against 
the  rents  in  the  wood,  fired  them  o>ne  after  the  other, 
with  the  result  of  abating  the  zeal  of  the  fellows  who 
stood  close  against  the  other  side.  The  room  filled 
with  the  dense  powder  smoke,  and  the  light  from 
the  swinging  cabin  lamps  barely  lit  up  the  gloom 
enough  to  distinguish  objects.  Ernest,  who  had 
been  left  half-dead  upon  the  cabin  floor,  now  aroused 
himself  enough  to  stagger  to  his  feet. 

"  The  lazarette,"  he  gasped;  "  it's  our  only 
chance.  Bring  some  muskets  and  ammunition.  We 
can  make  a  stand  there." 

298 


&MTHE  BLACK.  BARQUE 

Grasping  an  armful  of  the  discharged  weapons,  I 
led  the  way  through  a  small  door  in  the  after-bulk 
head,  as  heavy  blows  crashed  upon  the  door  of  the 
forward  cabin.  Jones  followed  with  an  armful  of 
cartridges  and  a  priming-flask,  Ernest  leaning  heav 
ily  upon  him.  Then  I  hesitated. 

"  Put  out  the  light.  Let  'em  think  we're  waitin' 
in  the  dark,"  said  the  big  sailor. 

I  turned  back  and  took  the  lamp  out  of  the 
bracket.  It  would  serve  to  light  the  black  hole  we 
were  entering,  for  Hicks  had  taken  no  lantern  with 
him,  being  hardly  able  to>  walk,  with  weakness  from 
wounds  and  exertion. 

Jones  went  ahead  with  Ernest,  and  I  looked 
quickly  about  the  cabin  for  some  means  of  prevent 
ing  entrance  through  the  small,  low  door  into  the 
stern  of  the  boat.  Nothing  appeared  handy,  and  I 
turned  to  follow. 

At  that  same  instant  the  attack  upon  the  con> 
panion  was  resumed  and  the  doors  crashed  in,  let 
ting  several  black  forms  come  plunging  down  the 
steps. 

There  was  no  time  to  lose,  so,  quickly  entering 
the  hole,  I  closed  it  and  set  the  lamp  close  by  on 
the  deck,  where  its  dim  rays  would  light  the  en 
trance  when  the  door  would  be  burst  in.  The  bulk 
head  was  not  very  thick,  and  it  would  take  very  few 
minutes  to  smash  the  small  door,  but,  as  the  pas- 

299 


BLACK,  BARQUE 


sage  was  only  about  three  feet  wide,  -two  able  men 
with  muskets  and  cutlasses  could  make  it  good  from 
the  inside,  for  no  matter  what  the  press  beyond, 
the  Africans  would  have  to  come  in  twos  and  threes 
through  the  opening.  They  would  not  think  to 
cut  a  new  way  through,  and,  as  long  as  they  came 
in  front,  we  could  pile  them  up  as  fast  as  they  could 
pull  the  dead  and  disabled  away. 

Jones  had  disappeared  into  the  blackness  farther 
aft  under  the  cockpit  as  I  entered,  but  the  sound 
of  the  yelling  blacks  entering  the  cabin  brought  him 
back  to  my  side,  and  I  motioned  him  to  stand  to 
starboard,  while  I  took  the  port  side,  our  cutlass 
blades  a  little  more  than  overlapping  as  we  held 
them  ready  for  the  rush. 

On  all  sides  the  ship's  stores  were  piled  and  stored 
close  up  under  the  low  deck.  Spare  canvas  rolled 
and  stopped  in  long  bundles  lined  the  passageway, 
placed  near  at  hand  that  in  case  of  emergency  they 
could  be  brought  out  quickly  and  bent  to  stripped 
spars.  We  stood  perfectly  quiet,  while  the  din  below 
increased,  but,  as  the  savages  had  no  light,  they 
could  not,  at  first,  find  the  small  door  in  the  after- 
bulkhead. 

While  we  waited,  Hicks  appeared,  stooping  and 
coming  along  under  the  low  beams.  He  had  a 
musket  in  each  hand  which  he  had  loaded,  and  when 
he  saw  us  he  stopped.  Laying  down  the  guns,  he. 

300 


began  pulling  at  an  old  topsail,  and  Jones,  seeing 
what  he  wanted,  hastened  to  help.  Together  they 
rolled  and  dragged  the  canvas  to  the  door,  piling 
it  up  to  close  the  opening  as  much  as  possible,  and 
at  the  same  time  serve  as  a  breastwork.  Suddenly 
a  savage  voice  howled  close  against  the  bulkhead, 
and  instantly  a  rain  of  tremendous  blows  fell  upon 
the  door.  It  splintered,  broke,  and  was  torn  away 
in  an  instant.  Then  the  black  bodies  crowded  in. 

Jones  on  one  side  and  myself  on  the  other  fell 
upon  them  with  our  cutlasses,  and  the  first  three 
lay  groaning  and  blocking  the  way.  Hicks  crouched 
down  behind  the  pile  of  topsail  and  rested  his 
musket,  with  its  muzzle  about  three  feet  from  the 
opening,  but  held  his  fire.  He  would  wait  until 
one  of  us  failed  to  stop  our  men. 

The  three  bodies  were  whisked  away,  and  a  half- 
score  of  black  faces,  with  white  eyeballs  and  ivory 
teeth,  filled  the  gap,  each  savage  trying  to  get  in 
at  once,  none  flinching  in  the  least  from  the  sword 
cuts.  Capstan-bars,  muskets,  and  cutlasses  were 
shoved  through,  and  we  had  to  keep  alert  to  prevent 
being  wounded.  One  huge  negro,  with  a  woolly 
beard  on  his  black  chin,  pulled  a  couple  of  his  fel 
lows  back  from  the  opening,  and  thrust  a  long  mus 
cular  arm  inside,  holding  a  cutlass.  He  swung  it 
with  marvellous  quickness,  and  parried  my  stroke, 
giving  me  a  bad  cut  in  return,  but  Jones  reached  him 

301 


BLAC1L  BARQUE 


with  a  short-arm  thrust,  and,  before  he  could  re 
cover,  I  had  him  out  of  action.  He  was  jerked 
back  before  we  could  get  hold  of  his  weapon,  and 
others  took  his  place. 

It  was  a  nightmare  scene  there  in  between  the 
decks  of  the  old  pirate  barque.  I  could  sometimes 
catch  a  glimpse  of  Sir  John  Hicks  lying  in  the  bight 
of  the  old  topsail,  with  his  eyes  looking  steadily 
along  the  barrel  of  the  musket  and  shining  like 
beads  in  the  dim  light.  He  was  good  for  one  fellow, 
—  the  one  we  would  miss.  Opposite  me  the  big 
sailor  slashed  and  cut  at  everything  that  came 
through  the  opening,  while  just  without  the  black 
bodies  crowded,  and  hideous  black  faces  grinned 
and  yelled  in  savage  fury. 

Another  rush,  and  then  another,  and  Jones  re 
ceived  a  stab  from  a  cutlass  thrust  suddenly  in  at 
the  door.  Three  armed  negroes  tried  to  enter  at 
once,  and  almost  succeeded.  I  stopped  one,  but 
Jones's  man  came  through,  and  another  started  to 
follow.  Then  the  musket  crashed  in  the  passage, 
and  we  were  choked  with  smoke.  But  Hicks  had 
stopped  the  leader,  and  Jones  then  finished  the 
other.  We  still  held  our  own. 

Suddenly  the  faces  and  forms  drew  back  from 
the  opening.  A  wild  yelling  was  heard  on  deck, 
followed  by  a  scrambling  up  the  companion.  Some 


302 


THE  BLACK-  BARQUE 

noises  sounded  at  the  doors,  pounding  and  hammer 
ing.  We  drew  back  and  waited. 

The  minutes  passed  slowly.  Hicks  placed  his 
spare  gun  in  position,  and  coolly  proceeded  to  load 
on  the  stores  packed  behind  us.  All  was  black  and 
quiet  now  in  the  cabin,  save  for  the  hammering  at 
the  doors. 

In  a  little  while  I  began  to  get  nervous.  The 
yelling  had  begun  to  die  away,  and  only  now  and 
then  voices  sounded  forward. 

"  I  reckon  I'll  take  a  peep  into  the  cabin,"  I  said. 
"  Bring  the  lamp,  and  stand  for  a  rush  if  there  are 
any  tricks  played." 

Jones  took  the  light,  and,  standing  just  inside 
the  hole,  let  the  rays  fall  upon  the  cabin-deck.  It 
was  apparently  deserted.  Poking  my  cutlass  ahead 
of  me,  ready  for  a  surprise,  I  made  my  way  slowly 
through  the  opening,  keeping  my  eyes  on  both  sides 
as  I  came  through.  The  cabin  was  empty. 

I  looked  up  at  the  companion  entrance,  and,  as 
my  eyes  became  accustomed  to  the  gloom,  I  saw  the 
doors  were  closed.  The  forward  doors  also  had 
been  put  in  place,  and  the  hammering  had  now 
ceased.  I  distinctly  heard  the  rattle  of  blocks  with 
the  tackle  running  rapidly. 

"  No  one  here,"  I  whispered,  and  Jones  came 
through  the  bulkhead.  Presently  Hicks  followed. 


303 


BL  C.  BARE 


"  Better  leave  the  light  inside,"  he  suggested. 
"  They  may  have  some  trick  to  get  us  out." 

Jones  sniffed  the  air  loudly  for  a  few  moments. 

"  What's  the  matter?"  asked  Sir  John. 

"  Seems  to  me  they've  already  played  it,"  said 
Jones,  coolly.  "  I  smell  smoke,  an'  I  smell  it  strong." 

"  Powder  smoke,  man  ;  the  place  is  thick  with 
it,"  I  said,  choking  and  coughing  a  little. 

Jones  turned  his  great  face  toward  me. 

"  You  may  be  the  gunner,  Mr.  Heywood,  you 
might  know,"  said  he,  "  but  I  smells  wood.  There 
ain't  no  mistake.  The  barque's  on  fire,  an'  they've 
nailed  us  below." 


304 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

THE  END  OF  THE  BLACK  BARQUE 

"  FOR  God's  sake  bring  the  light,"  said  Hicks. 

Jones  did  so,  and,  as  its  rays  lit  up  the  cabin, 
we  saw  that  the  smoke  was  thicker  than  when  we 
first  stopped  firing.  The  peculiar  pungent  odour  of 
burning  tar  and  wood  now  became  apparent. 

The  noise  on  deck  had  almost  ceased  entirely, 
but,  as  we  listened,  there  broke  upon  our  ears  the 
dull  boom  of  a  heavy  gun. 

We  looked  at  each  other.  Then  it  sounded  again, 
and  a  loud  crash  above  told  of  a  shot  tearing  through 
our  hull,  while  the  dull  report  was  repeated. 

"  Man-o'-war,"   said  Jones,   significantly. 

"  Break  down  the  door,"  I  cried.  "  We  must  get 
Miss  Allen  and  Ernest." 

Hicks  had  already  started  for  the  light,  and 
Jones  bounded  up  the  steps,  cutting  at  the  panels 
as  he  reached  the  top,  while  we  hurried  back  to 
the  lazarette. 

Even  as  we  went,  the  barque's  deck  seemed  to 
slant  a  trifle  forward,  and  I  wondered  at  it  vaguely, 

305 


as  we  made  our  way  along  the  dark  passage  under 
the  cockpit.  In  a  few  minutes  we  had  made  our 
way  clear  aft  to  the  vessel's  run.  Here,  behind 
boxes  and  barrels  of  stores,  that  Hicks  had  broken 
out  and  formed  into  a  barricade,  was  Miss  Allen. 
She  greeted  us  calmly,  but  I  could  see  the  terror 
in  the  girl's  eyes  that  the  horror  of  the  night  had 
produced. 

"  I  expected  you,"  she  said,  her  voice  trembling. 

Hicks  looked  at  her  sadly,  and  held  out  his  hand. 

"  Come,"  he  said,  "  we  haven't  a  minute  to  spare. 
Where's  Ernest?" 

"  Here,  sir,"  said  the  sailor,  rising  from  the  deck. 
He  was  badly  hurt,  and  could  hardly  stand. 

"  Take  a  grip  of  my  shoulder,"  I  said,  "  and 
hurry  along.  We  must  get  out  of  this." 

Even  as  we  went,  the  deck  began  sloping  forward. 
The  incline  was  getting  greater  all  the  time,  as 
though  the  barque  was  settling  by  the  head.  By 
the'  time  we  reached  the  cabin,  she  had  listed  to 
starboard,  and  Jones,  who  was  cutting  away  at  the 
shattered  companion  doors,  broke  through  just  as 
the  steps  or  ladder,  torn  from  its  fastenings  by  the 
rush  upon  it  when  the  savages  came  below,  fell  to 
one  side  and  crashed  down  upon  the  floor,  bringing 
the  big  sailor  with  it.  We  tried  to  place  it  back 
again  in  position,  but,  while  we  lifted  it,  the  deck 
began  to  slant  dangerously.  A  flickering  light  shone 

306 


down  through  the  opening  Jones  had  made  in  the 
barricade,  and,  as  he  staggered  to  his  feet,  he  called 
out  that  it  was  no  use. 

"  She's  listed  too  much.  It  won't  stand.  She's 
all  afire  forrads,  and  goin'  down  by  the  head.  The 
devils  have  plugged  her,  too,  an'  she's  fillin'  like  a 
basket!  Put  it  on  the  starboard  side,  an'  I'll  hold 
it  while  ye  mount." 

We  tried  this  method,  but  it  wobbled  so  that  Jones 
was  sent  up  first  to  hold  the  top. 

The  barque  was  now  sinking  rapidly.  The  blacks 
had  evidently  cut  a  hole  in  her,  besides  setting  her 
afire,  to  make  sure  of  catching  us  below.  She  was 
to  be  our  coffin,  —  a  fitting  end  for  men  engaged 
in  the  foul  trade.  Jorg  must  have  gone  forward 
with  his  axe,  mad  with  the  blow  he  had  received 
from  Shannon's  men,  and,  after  he  had  liberated 
some  slaves  by  knocking  the  irons  off,  they  had 
evidently  overpowered  him,  taken  his  axe,  and  cut 
a  hole  in  the  vessel's  bottom,  while  the  mass  of  them 
had  surged  aft  for  vengeance. 

It  took  several  precious  moments  to  clear  the 
barricade  above  sufficiently  for  a  man  to  get  out. 
Jones  tore  and  pried  at  the  shattered  woodwork, 
but  the  negroes  had  piled  a  lot  of  gratings,  lines, 
etc.,  over  the  opening,  after  fastening  the  doors  by 
spiking  some  of  their  bunk-boards  or  slave-deck 
timber  over  the  shattered  panels. 

307 


They  had  intended  to  make  certain  of  us  before 
leaving  in  the  small  boats. 

Gradually  Jones  forced  his  way  out,  while  the 
noise  of  the  escaping  air  under  the  sinking  deck 
grew  into  a  deep  snore,  rushing  as  it  did  through 
every  aperture,  while  the  sea  followed  after. 

Quickly  we  passed  Miss  Allen  up,  while  we  felt 
the  ship  settling.  Then  Ernest  was  lifted  until 
Jones  could  reach  his  hand  and  get  him  out.  Then 
the  big  sailor  disappeared  a  moment  from  the  open 
ing,  and  we  knew  he  had  taken  the  girl  to  safety, 
if  such  a  thing  existed  near.  The  listing  motion 
increased  rapidly.  There  was  a  loud  roaring  below. 

Hicks  seized  the  ladder,  while  I  held  the  foot 
of  it  to  keep  it  from  sliding  to  starboard.  Then  he 
turned. 

"  After  you,  Heywood,"  he  said,  quickly.  "  Jump, 
there's  no  time  to  lose." 

"  Go  !  "  I  yelled  ;  "  go  while  you  may.  She's 
going  down  now." 

But  he  turned  his  face  to  me,  and  for  an  instant 
I  saw  its  expression  in  the  dim  light  of  the  lamp 
still  burning  on  the  floor.  There  was  no  sign  of 
fear  in  it.  Only  a  deep  sadness,  as  in  one  who 
has  suffered  a  sudden  great  loss. 

"  After  you,"  he  said,  calmly,  and  made  a  motion 
with  his  hand  toward  the  sloping  steps.  There  was 
something  of  an  old-time  courtesy  in  that  gesture 

308 


K-  BARUE 


that  told  of  men  who  had  gone  before.  They  who 
had  borne  the  name  he  had  disgraced.  Bad  man 
he  may  have  been,  but  who  shall  judge  him  after 
that  gallant  end? 

I  saw  that  argument  would  be  useless,  even  had 
there  been  time  for  it.  Seizing  the  steps,  I  mounted 
as  quickly  as  I  could,  while  I  felt  them  slide  beneath 
me.  I  grasped  the  coamings  as  the  steps  left  my 
feet  and  fell  away  to  starboard,  leaving  me  hanging. 

In  a  moment  I  had  thrown  a  leg  over  the  edge 
of  the  opening,  and  drew  myself  panting  and  gasp 
ing  to  the  poop.  Jones  was  just  in  the  act  of  dis 
appearing  over  the  rail,  having  lowered  Miss  Allen 
and  Ernest  overboard  to  a  couple  of  planks  and 
gratings  he  had  hove  in.  I  called  to  him  for  aid 
to  help  me  get  Hicks  out,  but  it  was  just  too  late. 

The  barque  was  now  almost  perpendicular,  point 
ing  bow  forward  to  the  bottom.  As  I  staggered 
to  my  feet,  she  gave  a  sudden  lurch.  Then  straight 
as  an  arrow,  she  dived,  and  I  found  myself  in  the 
roaring,  swirling  vortex  she  left  behind. 

In  the  choking  blackness  beneath  the  ocean's  sur 
face,  I  seemed  to  stay.  Down  and  down  I  went, 
in  spite  of  frantic  struggles.  Then  the  suction 
ceased,  and  I  began  to  mount.  If  I  could  only  hold 
my  breath  a  little  longer! 

A  roaring  was  in  my  ears,  and  stars  flashed  in 


309 


C 


my  eyes,  and  just  when  I  was  losing  consciousness, 
my  head  came  out  into  the  air  again. 

How  good  was  that  first  breath!  I  was  back 
again  in  the  world  of  air  for  another  struggle.  It 
seemed  useless,  and  I  swam  slowly,  wondering  why 
I  did  so,  yet  my  whole  nature  revolted  against  going 
under.  It  would  only  be  a  matter  of  minutes,  and 
why  not  take  the  rest  of  a  somewhat  hard  existence 
easy?  My  reason  began  to  assert  itself,  and  the 
uselessness  of  effort  began  to  be  manifest.  Turn 
ing  over  on  my  back,  I  floated  easily,  only  striking 
out  now  and  then  with  a  spasmodic  kick. 

Suddenly  I  heard  voices.  There  were  men  near, 
and  I  quickly  turned  over  again  to  try  to  gaze  about 
me  through  the  darkness. 

Something  made  a  rushing  sound  through  the 
water,  and,  following  the  swish  of  the  spray,  I  made 
out  the  regular  stroke  of  oars.  For  an  instant  I 
thought  of  the  slaves  who  had  taken  our  boats,  and 
I  had  no  desire  to  call  for  aid.  Then  it  struck  me 
that  the  oar-stroke  was  very  regular  and  could  only 
come  from'  trained  men. 

I  called  loudly,  and  soon  had  the  satisfaction  of 
getting  an  answer.  The  craft  headed  toward  me, 
and  in  a  moment  I  could  make  her  out  coming 
head  on. 

I  grasped  the  gunwale  as  she  came  up,  and  was 
hauled  inboard  by  a  couple  of  men. 


"  Here's  another  rascal  who'd  rather  hang  than 
drown,"  said  one  to  the  other.  Then  loudly  to 
the  man  aft  :  "  We've  got  him,  sir." 

I  was  bundled  aft,  and  made  to  sit  in  the  bottom1 
of  the  craft,  which  I  now  saw,  by  the  aid  of  the 
lantern  the  helmsman  had  between  his  feet,  to  be 
a  boat  from  a  ship-of-war.  The  men  were  in  uni 
form,  and  the  man  at  the  helm  was  an  officer  of  the 
United  States  navy. 

"  How  many  of  you  got  away  in  the  boats  ?  " 
he  asked,  sternly.  "  And  how  did  you  happen  to 
be  left  behind?" 

"  I  reckon  I'm  the  only  one  left,"  I  said,  sadly. 
"  None  of  us  escaped  except  me." 

"  A  likely  yarn,"  snapped  the  officer.  "  Who  are 
you,  anyway?  " 

"  I'm  an  American,  like  yourself,  and  was  gunner 
of  the  barque  The  Gentle  Hand''  I  answered. 

I  thought  he  would  strike  me  when  I  said  I  was 
like  himself,  but  he  saw  I  meant  no  offence. 

"  Did  all  the  slaves  go  down  in  her  after  you 
fired  her,  when  you  saw  you  couldn't  get  away  from 
us  ?  "  he  asked  again. 

Then  it  suddenly  dawned  upon  me  that  the  cruiser 
had  thought  we  had  burned  and  scuttled  the  ship 
ourselves,  after  finding  he  was  closing  in  and  would 
soon  have  her  under  his  guns. 

"  We  didn't  fire  her,"  I  answered.    "  The  blacks 

3" 


BLAC1L  BA 


did  that,  and  there's  no  one  left  alive  of  her  crew 
that  I  know  of  besides  myself." 

He  gave  a  grunt  of  disgust,  as  if  it  were  no  use 
talking  to  a  rascal,  and  headed  for  his  vessel's  side. 
I  could  see  her  lights  now  only  half  a  mile  away, 
and  I  wondered  who  and  what  she  was,  and  what 
fate  she  had  in  store  for  me. 

It  looked  as  if  I  had  made  a  mistake  in  leaving 
The  Gentle  Hand,  and  visions  of  a  figure  swaying 
at  a  yard-arm  began  flitting  through  my  tired  brain. 


312 


CHAPTER   XXXVII. 

THE  LAST   STRAND  OF   MY   YARN 

WHEN  we  came  alongside  the  man-of-war,  an 
other  small  boat  had  already  arrived.  Lights  were 
in  the  gangway,  and  forms  showed  along  the  rail. 
The  vessel  was  a- brig-rigged  cruiser,  not  very  large, 
but,  judging  from  the  heaviness  of  her  spars  that 
towered  above  in  the  darkness,  she  was  very  fast, 
capable  of  overhauling  the  majority  of  traders. 
She  would  not  have  caught  The  Gentle  Hand  in 
a  breeze  of  any  weight,  and,  as  I  gazed  at  her,  I 
remembered  the  sail  I  had  seen  before  dark,  and 
to  which  I  had  called  Bill's  attention  while  aloft. 
This  vessel  was  evidently  the  one  seen  but  not 
reported,  and  she  had  probably  crept  up  on  us  in 
the  darkness  without  our  knowing  it.  Then  came 
the  rising  forward  among  the  men,  planned  and 
led  by  Shannon  and  Martin,  who  had  plotted  with 
the  slave-driver  ashore  for  some  of  the  profits. 
They  had  intended  taking  the  barque  in  themselves, 
selling  and  landing  the  cargo  somewhere  on  either 
the  Cuban  or  American  coast,  and  then  making 


another  trip,  or  sinking  her  before  being  overhauled 
and  found  out.  It  was  a  game  easily  played  among 
dealers  who  asked  few  questions  and  who  paid  cost 
prices.  Clearing  would  not  be  difficult  to  men  who 
thought  nothing  of  forging  papers,  and  who  would 
close  the  mouths  of  certain  officials  of  the  Spanish 
ports  well  known  to  them  by  handing  over  a  small 
percentage  of  the  profits.  How  it  all  ended  is  now 
known,  and  I  seemed  to  be  the  sole  survivor  of 
the  affair. 

We  ranged  alongside  the  cruiser,  and  the  order 
came  to  peak  oars.  How  the  accurate  obedience 
of  the  men  and  quick,  certain  movements  brought 
back  memories  of  the  days  when  I  wore  the  blue 
uniform  and  served  frigate's  guns.  Then  we  were 
fast,  and  I  was  ordered  to  stand  up. 

"  Now  then,  up  with  you,"  snapped  the  officer 
aft.  "  Clap  that  fellow  in  irons  as  he  comes  aboard,'* 
he  added  to  the  quartermaster,  who  stood  in  the 
gangway,  and  who  promptly  laid  a  heavy  paw  upon 
my  shoulder.  I  was  seized  by  two  sailors  and 
hustled  below  without  further  ado,  and  when  I 
arrived  in  the  'tween-decks,  a  fellow  clapped  the 
irons  upon  my  wrists. 

"  Where'll  we  put  him  ?  "  asked  one  of  the  sailors 
of  the  master-at-arms,  who  was  superintending  op 
erations. 

The  light  from  the  lanterns  shone  upon  me,  and 


I  must  have  presented  a  pretty  hard  spectacle.  Sev 
eral  wounds  that  I  had  received  had  begun  to  bleed 
afresh,  and  the  salt  water  mixed  with  the  blood, 
completely  saturating  my  clothing. 

'  You  look  like  you  had  a  clip  or  two,  my  friend," 
said  the  master-at-arms  to  me.  "  Had  a  bit  of  a 
fracas,  hey?" 

The  tone  was  familiar,  and  I  looked  hard  at  the 
man.  Then,  in  spite  of  his  clean-shaved  face  and 
uniform,  I  had  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  old  Peter 
Richards,  bos'n  of  The  Gentle  Hand. 

"Well,  how  in  thunder  did  you  get  here?"  I 
asked. 

"  Didn't  you  get  my  note?  "  said  Richards. 

"  I  did,  but  am  not  the  scholar  you  appear  to 
be.  Sink  you,  Peter,  how  did  you  play  it  on  me 
so?" 

Richards  smiled  grimly. 

"  You  know,"  he  said,  "  when  you  first  signed 
with  old  Watkins,  I  did  not  want  to  go  in  the  barque. 
Your  gaff  set  me  on,  John,  and  I  thought  you  such 
a  fool  you  would  get  in  trouble.  I  knew  what  she 
was,  well  enough,  but  I  would  have  stayed  with 
her  if  they  had  treated  me  right.  But  folk  in  that 
business  don't  treat  people  right.  The  whole  game 
is  one  of  wrong  and  oppression,  —  an*  you  know  it. 
When  I  left,  I  knew  she  was  going  out  the  next 
day,  and  tried  to  tell  you,  but  you  had  just  gone 


<S&s>THE  BLACK-  BARQUE 

ashore,  and  when  I  found  you  had  gone,  I  went 
as  far  as  the  place  where  you  had  the  outfly  with 
Curtis  on  account  of  the  gal.  I  heard  of  the  mess, 
an'  got  to  the  long  skipper's  boat  in  time  to  see 
him  rowing  you  back  to  The  Gentle  Hand." 

"  Did  you  know  what  he  had  in  the  chest,  too  ?  " 
I  asked. 

"  No,  but  I  knew  he  was  up  to  something.  I 
knew  he  couldn't  do  much  with  the  vessel  he  had, 
and  I  thought  I  would  come  along  in  your  wake  in 
this  brig.  We  got  here  too  late.  Tell  me  how  the 
trouble  came  about." 

I  told  as  much  as  I  could  of  the  rising,  and  be 
fore  I  was  through,  an  officer  called  him  aft  to  give 
instructions  about  me.  I  knew  he  would  do  what 
he  could,  and  hoped  to  have  him  stand  between  me 
and  the  end  of  the  gant-line. 

While  he  was  gone,  a  master's  mate  came  up  and 
took  me  in  hand. 

"What  became  of  the  rest  of  the  crew?"  he 
asked, 

"  They  killed  all  hands,"  I  answered,  sullenly. 
"  I'm  the  only  one  left." 

"  Not  exactly,"  answered  the  sailor,  kindly.  "  Not 
exactly,  my  boy.  There's  a  pretty  good  lump  of  a 
Welshman  and  a  fairly  sized  Dutchman  already 
ahead  of  you." 


316 


"  What  !  "  I  cried.  "  Did  you  pick  up  Miss  Allen 
and  Big  Jones?  " 

"  I  haven't  the  honour  of  the  gal's  acquaintance," 
said  the  fellow,  "  but  we've  got  her  aboard  all  right, 
and  the  men  with  her.  Who  is  the  young  lady, 
—  the  skipper's  daughter  ?  " 

"  Daughter  of  the  trader,"  I  answered,  with  a 
feeling  of  relief.  "  Her  father  was  killed  with  the 
rest.  So  she's  aboard,  is  she?  " 

"  All  safe,  but  we  don't  hang  women  for  piracy, 
so  I  don't  know  what  the  old  man'll  do  with  her. 
No,  Sam,  we  won't  put  him  in  the  brig,"  he  said, 
addressing  one  of  the  men.  "  It's  too  hot,  too  much 
like  the  hold  of  a  slaver  to  suit  him,.  I've  always 
noticed  these  fellows  are  mighty  particular  about 
themselves.  You  can  stow  yourself  there  in  that 
hammock  to-night,  my  friend,  and  here's  some  togs 
for  you,"  he  continued  to  me,  "  and  here's  a  nip 
of  grog  for  you.  Stand  by  for  a  call  to  come  aft 
and  be  sentenced." 

His  tone  was  kindly,  but  so  cool  withal,  when 
discussing  my  probable  end,  that  I  hated  the  fellow. 
Hadn't  I  gone  through  enough  ?  Must  I  be  goaded 
and  hung,  after  all  ?  I  changed  my  dripping  clothes, 
with  the  help  of  a  couple  of  men  who  loosed  my 
hands  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  the  order  was 
passed  to  bring  me  aft  to  the  captain  for  examina 
tion. 

317 


BL 


Tired  and  exhausted  as  I  was,  I  was  hustled  aft 
between  two  sailors,  and  brought  to  the  poop,  where 
sat  the  captain  of  the  cruiser  in  a  chair.  He  was 
only  partly  dressed,  on  account  of  the  heat,  and 
he  smoked  a  long  cigar  of  the  kind  rolled  in  Cuba. 
Richards  had  passed  a  word  for  me,  and  he  looked 
less  dangerous  than  I  expected. 

He  was  an  intelligent  officer,  and,  as  I  told  my 
story,  beginning  at  the  time  I  was  tricked  into  sign 
ing  into  the  barque,  he  became  interested,  and  I 
could  see  he  believed  much  I  told.  While  I  talked, 
Jones  was  brought  up,  and,  without  hearing  what 
I  had  already  said,  corroborated  me  in  all  details. 
Then  we  were  allowed  to  go  below  and  turn  in,  and 
for  twelve  blessed  hours  I  knew  nothing.  Ernest 
was  too  far  gone  to  talk  that  night,  but  the  next 
day  his  story  was  found  to  be  in  the  main  like  ours. 

As  for  Miss  Allen,  she  was  unable  to  leave  her 
room  for  several  days,  but  when  she  could  tell  of 
the  affair,  her  testimony  did  much  to  save  our  lives. 

We  were  paroled  and  given  the  liberty  of  the 
ship  while  she  cruised  to  the  eastward  along  the 
coast  of  the  Guinea  Gulf  and  Bight  of  Benin. 

Soon  I  found  the  cruiser,  which  proved  to  be  the 
Hornet,  was  looking  for  a  brig  commanded  by  a 
fellow  named  Shannon,  who  had  made  a  reputation 
on  the  coast  for  being  a  most  desperate  pirate  and 
slaver.  When  the  bos'n  came  aboard,  they  imme- 


BLACK.  BARQUE 


diately  gave  chase  to  the  barque.  Then  I  explained 
the  affair  that  happened  in  Funchal,  and  the  en 
counter  with  the  brig  to  the  southward  of  that  place. 
It  was  evident  from  my  description  of  the  fellow 
that  it  was  the  same  man  they  were  hunting,  and 
they  finally  had  enough  confidence  in  my  testimony 
to  bear  away  again  to  the  westward  and  start  up 
the  coast. 

After  two  weeks'  cruising  under  the  hot  sun, 
we  raised  the  topsails  of  a  peculiar-looking  craft 
that  was  heading  down  toward  the  slave  coast.  Her 
foretopmast  was  remarkably  short,  and,  as  we  over 
hauled  her,  I  had  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  Cap 
tain  Shannon's  vessel. 

She  saw  us  and  stood  inshore  close-hauled,  and 
when  within  a  mile  of  the  beach,  backed  her  foresail 
and  waited  for  us  to  come  up.  The  brig  fired  a 
shot  or  two  across  her,  and  then  called  away  three 
of  her  boats,  which  were  filled  with  armed  men,  to 
go  in  and  take  possession. 

We  were  to  leeward,  and  the  odour  that  came 
down  the  wind  told  plainly  her  occupation.  Had 
it  been  night,  Brannigan  would  have  dumped  the 
blacks  he  had  aboard  into  the  sea,  for  he  was  capa 
ble  of  anything,  but  the  sun  was  shining  now,  and 
it  was  no  use,  for  he  had  failed  to  recognize  the 
Hornet  as  a  man-of-war  until  she  was  close  enough 
to  see  any  such  manoeuvre  from  her  tops.  There 

319 


THE  BLACiL  BARQUE 

was  nothing  to  do  but  either  get  rid  of  the  cargo, 
or  get  out  of  his  vessel,  and,  as  we  could  now  see 
her  deck  plainly,  Brannigan  chose  the  only  course 
to  keep  clear  of  the  hangman's  noose.  He  lowered 
down  his  boats,  and,  as  ours  started  in  for  him, 
he  started  for  the  beach,  keeping  up  a  rapid  and 
well-directed  fire  from  muskets  until  he  struck  the 
surf.  His  brig,  which  had  been  named  the  Black 
Jewel,  after  the  manner  customary  among  facetious 
slave-ship  owners,  was  scuttled  where  she  lay  as 
soon  as  the  blacks  were  taken  out  of  her. 

As  the  Hornet  had  been  some  time  on  the  coast, 
just  as  soon  as  she  put  the  slaves  ashore,  she  stood 
away  for  home.  We  crossed  the  line,  picked  up 
the  northeast  trade,  and  made  a  straight  course  for 
the  States. 

I  was  allowed  the  freedom  of  the  deck  after  I 
had  made  known  my  true  rating,  and  had  explained 
how  I  had  once  served  in  a  war-ship  and  as  first 
officer  in  several  others.  In  this  way  I  had  a 
chance  to  meet  Miss  Allen. 

'  You  are  a  rough  sailorman,  are  you  not,  Mr. 
Heywood  ?  "  she  asked  one  day,  as  we  neared  the 
Carolina  coast. 

"  I  suppose  I  may  be  classed  as  such/'  I  assented, 
"  but  I've  held  a  master's  position  once,  and  been 
mate  of  several  ships." 

"  Well,"  she  said,  "  I  must  confess  that  I  like 
320 


BLCK,  BARQUE 


rough  sailormen  very  much.  You  know  I've  been 
used  to  the  society  of  gentlemen." 

"  Your  discernment  in  choosing  acquaintance 
does  you  immense  credit,  Miss  Allen,"  I  answered. 
"I'm  sure  I  feel  honoured." 

"  I  have  always  associated  with  men  who  could 
read  and  write,  you  know,  and  who  have  been  to 
school.  But  I  do  like  rough  sailormen.  They  have 
much  that  is  interesting  about  them,"  she  continued, 
calmly,  without  heeding  my  interruption. 

"  There  are  over  a  hundred  on  board  this  ship," 
I  asserted,  getting  my  breath.  "  Possibly  some  of 
them  could  sign  their  names,  or,  at  least,  make  a 
cross-mark  opposite  them.  As  for  me,  I  fear  so 
much  learning  would  be  dangerous  in  so  rough  a 
sailor." 

She  flushed,  and  I  saw  at  once  that  she  had  meant 
nothing  disagreeable.  Then  she  asked  me  straight 
way  about  Sir  John  Hicks. 

"  How  was  it  he  did  not  follow  us?  "  she  asked. 

"  Because  he  held  the  ladder  for  me,"  I  answered. 

"  And  you  let  him  stay  below  while  you  escaped," 
she  cried,  her  eyes  flooding  scorn  and  contempt. 
"  You,  a  sailor,  let  him  die,  and  ran  to  save  your 
self?" 

"  Only  after  he  refused  to  go.  I  did  all  I  could 
to  persuade  him,"  I  answered. 

She  looked  long  and  steadily  at  me.  Then  she 
321 


BLCK. 


turned  and  went  slowly  below,  and  I  saw  her  no 
more  on  board.  We  ran  in  between  the  Chesapeake 
Capes,  and  Jones,  Ernest,  and  myself  were  soon 
given  our  liberty. 

I  took  command  of  a  coaster  running  general 
cargo  to  Havana,  and  before  I  sailed  I  received  a 
letter  from  New  York.  I  read  it  over  and  over 
many  times  on  the  run  south,  and  finally  decided  to 
call  on  the  writer  at  the  end  of  the  return  voyage. 
But  this  matter  has  nothing  further  to  do  with  the 
last  voyage  of  The  Gentle  Hand. 

Sometimes  I  wonder  at  the  end  of  all  those  former 
shipmates  of  mine,  all  the  strange,  savage,  and 
kindly  crew  of  that  old,  ill-fated  barque.  Even 
Tim,  the  little  American  sailor,  had  a  history. 
Where  are  all  those  faces,  the  strong,  bad,  saturnine, 
and  jovial?  They  flit  like  phantoms  through  my 
memory,  —  men  who  have  gone  before.  I  have 
missed  their  voices  often.  In  the  deserted  fore 
castle  of  some  large,  home-arrived  ship,  I  have  more 
than  once  half-expected  to  meet  one  or  more  of 
that  last  crew  I  sailed  with  as  a  man  before  the 
mast. 

Far  away  offshore,  in  the  middle  of  the  southern 
ocean,  I  have  heard  that  strange  voice  of  the  sea 
again,  the  low,  far-reaching,  vibrating  murmur  that 
thrills  the  soul  of  the  listener  until  each  fibre  of 
his  being  responds.  It  is  then  the  sailor  realizes 

322 


the  vast  world  of  rest  and  peace  of  the  countless 
crews  who  have  gone  before,  and  wonders  as  though 
the  cry  came  from  some  mighty  invisible  host,  call 
ing  through  the  void  of  air  and  sunshine.  He  thinks 
of  the  men  he  once  knew,  and  wonders.  They  were 
good.  They  were  bad.  They  were  a  mixture  of 
the  two.  But  they  were  all  human.  And  who  shall 
say  where  they  have  gone? 


THE   END. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 

Return  to  desk  from  which  borrowed. 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


MAft     9  1948 


,D  21-100m-9,'47(A5702sl6)476 


Hains,  T. 

j. 

H153 
b 

The  black 

barque 

Feb  26  !35 

Myers    *f2'^hP*' 

APR  30  193 


160 


194* 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


